The following are a series of pastoral letters written to to our email list.
[Part 1 was written on Wednesday, March 11.]
Dear Iron Works Church-Family
The rumors of COVID-19 has become a reality for us. I suspect by now you’ve heard that local schools shut down for extra cleaning for a day or two. Yesterday, West Chester University announced that they are canceling all the residential life, closing the dorms and moving classes to an online platform. Several schools have followed suit, including Harvard, Princeton, Rutgers, and others. Perhaps you also feel the effects of COVID-19 in other ways, from shopping for necessities to the economy.
Today I am participating in a county-wide phone call with various faith leaders to learn about the county’s response plan, followed by this evening, where we will have an elder’s meeting. I’ll send a second email following up on those meetings tomorrow morning, especially as there will be minor changes to our worship gatherings. As always, Iron Works is committed to using best practices and making informed decisions.
But I wanted to email you about what we are all feeling. Perhaps you’ve heard on the news or from friends that this is an overreaction as 80% of confirmed COVID-19 cases are mild and many recover. If that is our only metric, then I understand this criticism. But that’s not the only metric to consider. This breakout is unprecedented in recent history, is overwhelming our health care system, and is putting the most vulnerable at risk.
So how should we respond as individual Christians?
First, we must not respond out of fear or panic, but by care and commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our church, neighbors, and community. As Christians, our hope is in our Lord - and for this reason - we can in faith take care of our bodies, serve one another, and love our neighbors.
Second, we must pray.
> Pray for your own heart, whether you are anxious or dismissive. Our collective anxiety arises out of our hearts when we put our trust in the wrong place: in the economy, medicine, technology, cleanliness, and so on. Jesus somewhat told us that we will hear of “disease and rumors of disease” (Matt 24:6). COVID-19 affects us all by revealing our hearts.
> Pray for the university leaders, civic leaders, health care workers and administrative workers, local school officials, churches, and more.
Third, take care of one another. As I write this, I am aware of a lot of your individual and communal needs. People are traveling. Loved ones are in the hospital. Some students have to now move home. Other students are homeless, as they are unable to return home due to work nor can they move back into their dorm given the new university announcement. Encourage those who are going through challenges. If you are able to help care for students and others, please let me know.
Fourth, given the social distancing that we are seeing in various workplaces, the university, and elsewhere, be a friend. While COVID-19 is mild for younger people, it is more severe for those with underlying medical issues and compromised immune systems. Look for opportunities to be a friend, especially to those who are lonely as they are now working from home.
Fifth, be wise. Practice good hygiene and cleanliness. If you are sick, stay home, and take an abundance of caution. Regularly wash your hands. Make wise decisions about travel and participating in large events.
Let me end, for now, on this note. Historically, Christians have been known as people of love in time of disease and illness. When smallpox came to Rome pagans fled to the countryside, while Christians remained in the city. When it was measles, Roman pagans evicted their infected loved ones out of their homes and Christians were the ones who invited them in to care for them. Brothers and sisters, we know why disease happens. Let me encourage you to courageously and wisely love others.