It’s hard to believe that it has been a whole month since the coronavirus pandemic was declared and we realised that we would have to stop gathering for all church activities. Our minister preached on Psalm 46 on Sunday 15 March at our last service in the church building. The words were more significant than ever, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.’
I have found the truth of these verses to be a big comfort at this crazy time. It really does feel like the earth has given way as so much of what we know has been turned upside down. But God is telling us not to fear and instead to trust in him. None of this took him by surprise and only he knows how long it will all last. We need to take refuge in him and ask him to give us his strength for each day, especially those of us who are living alone.
Keeping connected while living alone
I’ve been living by myself in my flat for nearly three years now since I moved to Whiteabbey in 2017. I’m pretty independent and content with my own company, however this whole pandemic has really given me a shake up as I realise that, even though I’m single, God has made me - and all of us - to be connected in loving relationships with each other as part of a community. It’s too easy to take that for granted.
I’m used to spending time with my church family nearly every day, whether it’s laughing and praying with the staff team at our weekly meetings, visiting a member of the congregation, chatting to the ladies in Friendship Hour or making a craft with our wee toddlers at Kids n Co. If I’m not with people from church, I’ll be at home in Ballymena visiting my parents, or over at my sister’s or brother’s house, or catching up with a friend over a cuppa or at another friend’s house playing board games. In normal life I’m barely in the flat – I’m always out and enjoying the freedom and flexibility to go wherever I want, whenever I want. It has been a real change and a challenge not only to have that all stripped away, but to rethink how to remain connected with everyone and keep my sanity intact.
The power of care and prayer on the phone
So how do I do things differently at the moment? Well, now that I can’t do pastoral visits, I do pastoral phone calls instead to connect with the people I usually go to see. I have never really been a big fan of talking on the phone, I’d far rather see someone face to face. But I have learnt to appreciate telephone conversation a lot more over the past few weeks. God has blessed us with technology so that we have quicker and easier ways to communicate than ever before. I’m glad to hear the familiar voices of people I care for and I’m reassured that they are well supported at this time by family, friends or neighbours. I have also found it a greater blessing than ever to pray with people, and I would encourage any Christian to try it at the moment – it’s not only for the minister or church staff to do, it’s a joy and a privilege for all of us to do for each other. It will probably feel weird doing it on the phone at first, but it becomes more natural the more you do it – I promise. This is a time when people appreciate prayer more than ever and are increasingly open to it. I’ve really appreciated friends in church reaching out to me too, checking in to see how I am and praying for me.
It has been helpful to write down people’s prayer requests to remember them, otherwise it can feel really overwhelming to try and keep it all in your head. I’ve found that some people who are living on their own are feeling especially lonely or vulnerable due to underlying health conditions. We can pray that they would know the comforting presence of God with them in their isolation and his peace in their anxiety.
Reaching the unconnected home
There are also a considerable number of members who are unable to access our online services due to lack of internet. We can pray and encourage them to nourish themselves spiritually through God's Word, devotionals, and church services on TV and radio. Perhaps if you know someone in this situation you could stick a helpful Christian book or CD through their letterbox on your daily walk, or post it to them.
Many are also concerned about loved ones in nursing homes, or in hospital. I have found it hard not being able to talk to the people I know in these situations, but instead I plan to write cards to them to let them know I’m thinking of them, and maybe that is something you have been already doing or would like to do. The old-fashioned art of card and letter writing is being revived.
Socially distanced but emotionally present
I’m thankful to know that although we are socially distancing, we are not emotionally distancing. I’ve loved meeting with friends on Zoom to catch up and pray, in fact this is the first time some have prayed together as a group. It’s great to have Zoom family birthday gatherings, to share and receive encouraging messages on WhatsApp, to enjoy praise and watch services online, knowing that so many from our church are watching at the same time.
Like Paul wrote to his Christian friends in Colossae, though we are ‘absent from [each other] in body, [we] are present with [each other] in spirit’ (Colossians 2:5). May God bless you greatly in whatever situation you find yourself in at this time, and may he draw you closer to himself through it. Please remember to pray especially for those living alone in lockdown.
Rachel Cubitt is Deaconess in Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church. You can read more about her role here.
This blog is part of a wider series under the campaign, These Three Remain to help members and congregations during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Visit the These Three Remain hub here.