leehljp
Member Liaison
COVID 19 is showing us things for which we have not been prepared. I work with many churches in a 3 county area in NW Mississippi. (Similar to a "Bishop", only without authority, and more as a consultant.) Yesterday, my pastor's father broke his leg and was sent to the hospital in Jackson, MS, about 180 miles away. Here is where things have changed:
1. Most hospitals only allow 1 visitor in at a time, period, no exceptions. (Pastor's/Ministers not allowed in except for very special situations and prior preparation)
2. Family/Visitors are not allowed in if they have traveled out of state (or local region) in 14 days prior to visiting. My pastor went on a vacation two weeks ago and returned last week. (I filled in for him while he was gone.) He cannot visit his dad until March 26.
3. In the South, in small communities, it is customary to take food to the home of those who are sick or have a spouse or young child in a hospital. NOW, that is a no-no.
5. Many of our churches are doing streaming of the message instead of meeting together.
6. Even pastors visitations are being limited, even in the hospital. It is almost a Hazmat uniform situation and the hazmat uniforms must be changed for each room entered.
FUNERALS:
7. I am sending out a note to all of our churches today to prepare their church members and communities concerning funerals. It has been strongly "recommended" by governmental and community officials (and right so) to limit funerals to "family only" and in some cases "immediate family only". A Memorial service is recommended for sometime in the future - in memory of the deceased and as closure for many. Many funerals in smaller communities have the whole community turn out. This is going to be a big disruption in community customs and cultural practices.
8. Again, similar to #3 above, many churches' members provide a meal for the family - usually in the church fellowship hall. This will be stopped. Even providing meals to the family at their home will be greatly curtailed.
With the exponential spread of this virus, keeping people away from groups is a necessity, until a cure or med that reduces the severity of the virus is discovered.
Reality is that local customs and practices will be disrupted at the most emotional and needy times.
1. Most hospitals only allow 1 visitor in at a time, period, no exceptions. (Pastor's/Ministers not allowed in except for very special situations and prior preparation)
2. Family/Visitors are not allowed in if they have traveled out of state (or local region) in 14 days prior to visiting. My pastor went on a vacation two weeks ago and returned last week. (I filled in for him while he was gone.) He cannot visit his dad until March 26.
3. In the South, in small communities, it is customary to take food to the home of those who are sick or have a spouse or young child in a hospital. NOW, that is a no-no.
5. Many of our churches are doing streaming of the message instead of meeting together.
6. Even pastors visitations are being limited, even in the hospital. It is almost a Hazmat uniform situation and the hazmat uniforms must be changed for each room entered.
FUNERALS:
7. I am sending out a note to all of our churches today to prepare their church members and communities concerning funerals. It has been strongly "recommended" by governmental and community officials (and right so) to limit funerals to "family only" and in some cases "immediate family only". A Memorial service is recommended for sometime in the future - in memory of the deceased and as closure for many. Many funerals in smaller communities have the whole community turn out. This is going to be a big disruption in community customs and cultural practices.
8. Again, similar to #3 above, many churches' members provide a meal for the family - usually in the church fellowship hall. This will be stopped. Even providing meals to the family at their home will be greatly curtailed.
With the exponential spread of this virus, keeping people away from groups is a necessity, until a cure or med that reduces the severity of the virus is discovered.
Reality is that local customs and practices will be disrupted at the most emotional and needy times.