In March, life in these islands changed as a result of Covid-19, a pandemic the like of which hadn’t been here seen here in a century. In today's Belfast Telegraph, under the title 'Health crisis has demonstrated our capacity for good', Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, reflects on the last half year, and shares his hopes for the future.

It is six months since our lives were turned upside down and new language – ‘lockdown’, ‘R number’, ‘social-distancing’, and ‘bubbling’ entered our collective vocabulary. Undoubtedly, the benefit of hindsight will help us evaluate the decisions that have been made by government and others, but let’s not forget that ‘unprecedented’ has perhaps been the only suitable word to describe what we are living through.

It will do us good to pause and reflect on all that has happened. This pandemic has exposed our utter helplessness, and reminded us that even our best-laid plans can be turned on their head in the blink of an eye.

I hear stories of genuine fear, loneliness, and even desperation from people in congregations – thankfully being supported by their ministers and others. With the untimely loss of loved ones, this has also been a moment of tragedy and heartache. Yet these months have also unveiled our capacity for generosity, putting others first and looking out for our neighbour. This has been uplifting to watch.

Many have adapted to working from home, juggling childcare, schooling, and other caring responsibilities. It has been humbling to witness thousands of people in churches, community and voluntary organisations working alongside each other, sometimes crossing traditional boundaries, to look out for people who were shielding and those living alone.

While the majority of us ‘locked down’, many more kept going. I salute our healthcare workers and everyone who continued to ensure that our supermarkets were well stocked. Care home workers have gone the extra mile to ensure our loved ones remained as safe as possible – and we clapped them, and the others on the frontline, each Thursday evening. This was a good thing to do.

Our media have taken seriously their responsibility to provide clear and concise information, whilst taking time to acknowledge the lives of those who sadly succumbed to the virus. They have also brightened our days with stories of neighbourliness, while holding those in authority to account - and while it hasn’t all been plain sailing, the simple fact that we have an Executive to make local decisions in response to this crisis, should not be taken for granted. Many challenges remain, and more difficult decisions lie ahead for all of us.

For those planning for their futures together, and who have had to reschedule weddings, one of the most familiar Bible passages used is 1 Corinthians chapter 13. It says that while many things will pass away, these three – faith, hope and love - will remain. This simple message is, I believe, relevant to all of us.

It is a reminder that loving each other requires us to do things that might be inconvenient – like wearing a mask. Hope reminds us that work is ongoing to find a vaccine, while faith calls us to recognise that in our utter helplessness, there is One who is not shaken by pandemics, or world events, in whom we can place our trust.

Let this be the backdrop for strong civic and political leadership, and for courageous decision-making; for seeking the best in our schools and in our workplaces; for taking the opportunity to consider new ways of living and being, and as we all do our best to stay safe, for looking to the needs of others, over and above our own.

Photo: The Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce