Adjusting to the present challenge

You might be feeling that you’re starting to get “COVID-19 update overwhelm” by now. It's affecting so much of life, isn’t it, and it’s changing so rapidly. It just about completely fills our news and social media feeds.

You might find that, for your own mental wellbeing, it’s a good idea to limit your news and social media intake – for example, just checking two or three times a day. It's not healthy to be dwelling on the crisis non-stop. Perhaps it’s worth switching off your notifications for certain periods of the day, or even switching on “Do not disturb.”

As you’re probably aware, in an effort to enforce greater social distancing, churches are no longer able to hold religious gatherings. As such, our regular services have had to cease for the foreseeable future.

We’re working on options to still pursue spiritual nourishment through God’s word, since that’s still vital – perhaps even more vital – at a time like this. For example, you can check out our weekly messages via our YouTube channel.

But please remember that church is not a building. Church isn’t an event you attend on Sundays. Church is the people.

So, even though our capacity to meet together is increasingly limited, that doesn’t mean “church” needs to stop. Even smart phones are able to make phone calls. Do you remember phone calls? Smart phones can do video calls too, so you can actually see who you’re speaking to.

Let’s make sure we’re not just concerned about working out how we do church. Let’s work all the more at being the church. Let’s be making sure we’re connecting with one another, supporting and encouraging each other.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Steve Coleman