Being Church during a Challenging Time
During those extra-ordinary times, as we practiced social and physical distancing, we continued to be 'church' - the living and loving body of Christ. We learnt together about new ways to foster community, care and support during that time.
We transitioned to online forms of ministry to make connecting with each other easier during that time.
In this time of COVID-19, we pray:
When we aren't sure, God,
help us be calm;
when information comes from all sides, correct and not,
help us to discern;
when fear makes it hard to breathe, and anxiety seems to be the order of the day,
slow us down, God;
help us to reach out with our hearts, when we can't touch with our hands;
help us to be socially connected, when we have to be socially distant;
help us to love as perfectly as we can, knowing that "perfect love casts out all fear."
For the doctors, we pray, for the nurses, we pray,
for the technicians and the janitors and the
aides and the caregivers, we pray, for the researchers and theorists,
the epidemiologists and investigators, for those who are sick,
and those who are grieving, we pray, for all who are affected,
all around the world...
we pray for safety, for health, for wholeness.
May we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,
clothe the naked and house those without homes;
may we walk with those who feel they are alone,
and may we do all that we can to heal the sick--
in spite of the epidemic,
in spite of the fear.
Help us, O God,
that we might help each other.
In the love of the Creator,
in the name of the Healer,
in the life of the Holy Spirit that is in all and with all,
we pray.
May it be so.
May God's peace and love surround you during these days!
Coping with Stress and Grief During COVID-19
These are a few resource online links you might like to see.
You can call 211 for Social Assistance
For Seniors and Vulnerable Persons
www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-financial-social-support-for-people/covid-19-seniors-vulnerable-people/
Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic (Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
http://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19
Compassion in the time of COVID-19 (Source: Healthcare Chaplaincy Network, USA)
https://www.atimeforcompassion.org/
How to grieve loved ones when funerals aren't an option (Source: Huffington Post)
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/how-to-grieve-loved-ones-no-funerals_l_5e84b3cfc5b65dd0c5d7dbcd
How to Grieve in Isolation: Dealing with Grief after COVID-19 (Source: Teen Vogue)
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-grieve-in-isolation-covid-19
From CAMH: An excellent online article about coping with anxiety and stress during COVID-19:
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19#coping
City of Toronto Resource
www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/covid-19-mental-health-resources/
How to cope with bereavement (Source: Psychology Today)
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/bravery-in-bereavement/202004/how-cope-bereavement-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
Five ways to support a friend who lost someone to COVID-19 (Source: Prevention)
https://www.prevention.com/health/mental-health/a32066718/how-to-support-a-friend-coronavirus-death/
During those extra-ordinary times, as we practiced social and physical distancing, we continued to be 'church' - the living and loving body of Christ. We learnt together about new ways to foster community, care and support during that time.
We transitioned to online forms of ministry to make connecting with each other easier during that time.
In this time of COVID-19, we pray:
When we aren't sure, God,
help us be calm;
when information comes from all sides, correct and not,
help us to discern;
when fear makes it hard to breathe, and anxiety seems to be the order of the day,
slow us down, God;
help us to reach out with our hearts, when we can't touch with our hands;
help us to be socially connected, when we have to be socially distant;
help us to love as perfectly as we can, knowing that "perfect love casts out all fear."
For the doctors, we pray, for the nurses, we pray,
for the technicians and the janitors and the
aides and the caregivers, we pray, for the researchers and theorists,
the epidemiologists and investigators, for those who are sick,
and those who are grieving, we pray, for all who are affected,
all around the world...
we pray for safety, for health, for wholeness.
May we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,
clothe the naked and house those without homes;
may we walk with those who feel they are alone,
and may we do all that we can to heal the sick--
in spite of the epidemic,
in spite of the fear.
Help us, O God,
that we might help each other.
In the love of the Creator,
in the name of the Healer,
in the life of the Holy Spirit that is in all and with all,
we pray.
May it be so.
May God's peace and love surround you during these days!
Coping with Stress and Grief During COVID-19
These are a few resource online links you might like to see.
You can call 211 for Social Assistance
For Seniors and Vulnerable Persons
www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-financial-social-support-for-people/covid-19-seniors-vulnerable-people/
Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic (Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
http://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19
Compassion in the time of COVID-19 (Source: Healthcare Chaplaincy Network, USA)
https://www.atimeforcompassion.org/
How to grieve loved ones when funerals aren't an option (Source: Huffington Post)
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/how-to-grieve-loved-ones-no-funerals_l_5e84b3cfc5b65dd0c5d7dbcd
How to Grieve in Isolation: Dealing with Grief after COVID-19 (Source: Teen Vogue)
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-grieve-in-isolation-covid-19
From CAMH: An excellent online article about coping with anxiety and stress during COVID-19:
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19#coping
City of Toronto Resource
www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/covid-19-mental-health-resources/
How to cope with bereavement (Source: Psychology Today)
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/bravery-in-bereavement/202004/how-cope-bereavement-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
Five ways to support a friend who lost someone to COVID-19 (Source: Prevention)
https://www.prevention.com/health/mental-health/a32066718/how-to-support-a-friend-coronavirus-death/
