7 mins
LETTERS
Coronavirus Covid-19
The Coronavirus which has swept across the globe has killed thousands, devastated families and shattered countless dreams.
The invisible menacing monster has affected almost every aspect of our lives, both minor and major.
For many of us, one of the minor aspects has been remembering which day of the week it is. Monday for millions is no longer the start of the working week, Saturday no longer the day when football results brought joy to some fans, and sadness to others, and Sunday no longer the day when church bells rang out calling people to worship. When a bridge friend told a relative of ours on the phone, how much she was looking forward to having her first game of ‘virtual’ bridge on Thursday afternoon, Beth had to inform her it was now in fact Friday!
But fortunately the lockdown has also resulted in many becoming more thoughtful of others. Incredible courage and stronger and more caring selves have emerged out of the death throes of people’s fears and anxiety.
In her recent broadcast, the Queen ended by saying that she hoped the day would not be far off when, in the words of Dame Vera Lynn’s famous war-time song, We’ll meet again.
Having for weeks been denied human contact, most of us are looking forward to being connected again, to being able to meet face to face with family and friends.
Children I am sure are also looking forward to being allowed out to play and laugh with their friends, no longer confined like blue-bottles in a glass.
I am also looking forward in the not too distant future, to seeing again the friendly faces of worshippers in the pews, leading them in prayerful thanks for the tireless commitment and dedication of our doctors, nurses and care home workers, and sharing with them a Gospel which I believe is vital medication for the anxious soul.
Dr James Simpson (The Very Rev), Bankfoot, Perthshire
There are so many deaths from the Coronavirus Covid-19. Each is loved and valued.
How can we keep all of these in our hearts and minds, keep all of them in our thoughts and prayers? Jesus has shown us the way.
The times in Jerusalem were similar when he spoke to us and died on the Cross. Many were dying and suffering of poverty and disease. Jesus showed love and compassion to each person he met, during his teaching and healing.
He gave of himself utterly on the Cross in love. This is all we can do to alleviate the suffering of others and feel compassion for each person that suffers.
But Jesus was given one other thing which is of inestimable help and value to us.
He came back to us and lives with each of us and stands beside us and brings peace hope and comfort in each of our lives, however tragic.
Cartoon: Bill McArthur
As he is here, so God is with us and will stand beside us for ever. We are in a state of utter humility in the face of the progress and effects of this virus.
But observe the human, the person.
The inspiration of the scientists and research workers in the laboratories, the selfless dedication of the nurses and doctors, the compassion and care of the care-workers and all of us, staying home to limit the spread of the virus.
These persons, all of us, have the love of God within us and God can be felt as a living force a reality. He is here beside us.
The virus has shown us that God is with us whosoever we are and with any religion or none. We are humans and we all experience him whatever our origin or background. God bless you all.
John Kusel, Cumbernauld
A Lasting Lockdown Mark
You were recently asking what are we doing to keep connected with our congregation during the lockdown for the Coronavirus Covid-19.
Each week I write a wee letter, giving information about the times of television and radio worship services, and informing them about Facebook and website services, with any other information relevant to the life in our Church – just a cheery wee note to let them know we are here, remembering them and they are in our prayers As we live in a very rural area and our congregation are mostly elderly and certainly not ‘tech savvy’. Zoom etc doesn’t really meet our needs.
Our Interim Moderator writes a lovely sermon which I include with the letter.
Every year we knit chickens and put a chocolate egg inside for the local primary school. Fortunately we got them to the school before the lockdown so I included these pictures of the chicks in the Church before they were delivered to the school.
The headteacher was so delighted that although the service was cancelled the children were not forgotten
One Elder delivers fresh eggs to anyone in the congregation who would like some, and they all know they can contact us anytime, and if we cannot help then we will know who can.
I really believe a letter is important, housebound people have something they can read over and over again, and who doesn’t like a letter!!
Our little village has a very active “Resilience Group” so no-one needs to be without.
As a ‘thank you’ to everyone, from the NHS, local shop, Local Community Transport the list is endless, on Thursday nights at 8pm I ring the Church bell for five minutes and will do so each week.
Ringing the Church bell is not only saying ‘Thank you’ but the congregation too who are housebound can feel that they are involved in giving ‘Thanks’.
I hope this lockdown will not go on too long as next I will be telling them about the poppies the members of the knitting group are making for our latest project!!
Show them pictures of the marigold and pansy seeds shooting up for our Church flower pots and floral arrangements, the vegetables and herbs growing in the polytunnel for our lunches and ‘Soup and Sweet’ events as we are a congregation who, enjoy eating and like our food!! Indeed we have earned a bit of a name for our hospitality!!!
God’s spirit is very much alive in our small village and in this time of adversity our small community have felt so invigorated and blessed.
After many weeks of looking out for each other within our Church and village we pray it will leave a lasting mark on each and every one.
Ina D S Macpherson, Session Clerk, on Behalf of Bunillidh Kirk Session
‘Live Simply’
Live simply, so that others may simply live!
This is an injunction that will be familiar to many churchgoers. It refers to the need to support those less fortunate than ourselves – especially in developing countries.
That said – and the basic idea is still important – it is likely that in the post Covid-19 world we will all have little choice but to live simply.
The country will be hugely in debt because of the large loans that the government has had to take out to see us through the crisis. Getting back to anything like the previous normal will be hard (even if we actually want all aspects of that.)
Not all of this – perhaps none of it-need upset Christians. The gross inequalities in our land have shamed us all – social injustice has long been a blot on our country. IF we are now entering a period when the heaviest burdens are born by those with the broadest backs so be it.
Above all we know that God is always with us – especially in hard times. As the great philosopher A N Whitehead said He is ‘The great companion-the fellow sufferer who understands.’
Andrew McLuskey, Ashford, Middlesex
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Life and Work welcomes letters from readers of not more than 350 words which can be sent by email to magazine@lifeandwork.org during the Coronavirus Covid-19 epidemic.
For verification purposes letters must be accompanied by the writer’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. In exceptional circumstances the Editor will consider publishing a letter withholding the details of the writer, provided verification can be made. The Editor reserves the right to edit letters for space and legal reasons.
This article appears in the June 2020 Issue of Life and Work
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