How can you be a guide or weaver in a post-pandemic world?
Communicate clearly.
Set firm boundaries.
Express what I can do and what I cannot do.
Use my imagination and I will likely change the way I do things continually so do not have the expectation that I can or will do church the same way from week to week. I want to be free, like Jesus.
My current belief that there can be no return to “normal” in a post pandemic time frame.
I did not believe that there was a return to “normal” after 9/11/2001.
Define “normal” How do I respond to those who “want to return to normal”?
I read both Rev. Bass's article and ALL the comments. She nailed the 4 losses we are dealing with...me, I'd add a bringing-things-all-together 5th: the impact of the pandemic on society's concept of personal agency.
Also, seems to me (a social historian) that no one is pointing out the very real relationship between catastrophic events and the "existential" crises of "society" that followed the major events: i.e. the plague(s) and the Reformation; WW1 and the global 18-19 pandemic and the disaffection (some have called it a crisis in faith) of the roaring '20s, etc.
Thanks for this! I appreciate that you don’t pretend to “know” what is ahead (for indeed, God only knows) yet you offer useful terms and definitions which help make the discussion meaningful.
I don't feel so much LOSS as an opportunity to dismantle, sort and rebuild. I have read a great deal - much more than I usually do. When I need connection, I call or email. No one would have confused me for a "thinker" but I have been thinking... and I think we have a chance to reconnect in ways that are more authentic. We can stop doing the things that don't feed anyone and attend to the ones that do.
I feel that now more than ever we as the church need to get this right.
I keep thinking that the chaos of this pandemic has presented us with some kind of opportunity. I'm just not sure what it is and I am desperate not to squander it. I find myself worrying that I have not learned enough. I've not learned enough about all those mundane things like how to do zoom and podcasts and facebook live. I have not learned enough about how maintain connections with those in my care. I have not learned enough about reaching out to those who need to connect with a loving community of faith. Thank you for the reminder to be about the business of mending what has been broken, recovering what has been mislaid, and reconnecting that which is frayed.
And I guess when you are not sure what to do or say it's always a good idea to pivot to Jesus.
Diane wants more you You have given me words to Express the Dislocations in my 87 hears. I have survived by striving to stay connected, to find ways to minister to others, to nurture my soul, and accept my disabilities! Journaling has been a Valuable .I've started my 5th journal.
Listening to Dr Hawkins last night to her experiences caused me to reflect on my surviving two such losses! Each dislocation deepen my faith in the value of connecting with your self and others!
This past year has given me the time to discover writers such as yourself who have feed my soul! I
Very timely with the gospel lesson in the revised common lectionary: John 15 Jesus invites the disciples and us to abide, as the branch does to a vine. What does “abide” look like for the post pandemic church? Diana, you help point the way!
"No one know what the future holds" does not hold water. Past practice is an excellent predictor of the future.
The 1918 flue pandemic killed and estimated 700,000 Americans when the population was less than one third the present. Covid19 would have to kill 2.3 million to be on the same level in the US. Yes, we have lost almost 0.7 million to the virus. The Nation and churches picked up and went on after the 1918 pandemic. We will do the same.
The black death infected London about 1613 kill and estimate 60 to 65% of the population. They picked up and over a few decades went on.
Small pox is estimated to have killed 400 million people in the past two centuries despite having an often not used vaccine. People picked up and went on.
We will pick up and go on after Covid19.
"Time is an odd thing. Experienced by change and chronology." Time is a real event experienced by our memories of events, history and the laws of physics. "Theologically there is no past, present or future." Thus, the Israelites did not flee Egypt some three thousand years go, Christ did not prophesies and face death on the cross two thousand years ago, George Floyd did not die in this decade, as the Christian theology has no past, present nor future?
"We don't know where we are in the course of the pandemic." We know exactly were we are in the course of the pandemic with good estimates on the number of cases, deaths and vaccinations. Treatment in hospitals has been dramatically improved. People are masking, social distancing, being vaccinated and taking other measure to limit the virus. The poor and marginal countries continue to suffer extensive illness and death. The claimed "Christians" have failed to deal with these medical deserts and lack of vaccines in the impoverished countries. We have loved ourselves and not our neighbors.
"We have lost a lot." No, we have survived with only a modest death rate, gained perspective, developed multiple vaccines and most are getting through Covid19. Look at the Flu Pandemic of 1918, the Black Death, small pox and other diseases for loosing a lot.
Yes, negative conspiracy theories and political deconstruction are real and reflect our self interest and ignorance. Not long ago Christian were burning women at the stake for being witches. The ignorance and imaginary fear continues in the year 2021 with a changed focus.
Physical dislocation or social change is real. Life is all about dealing with change. Those who deal well with change become successful in living a purposed life.
"Religare - reconnect." Covid19 upset the religious order as it could not deal with change trapped in self focus and tradition. Yes, the post-pandemic church is about embracing change. Relocating with God has alway been a journey of change.
The future is an odd being. 9 years ago I was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer and was expected to last 2 years if I was lucky. After a whole year of chemo and a few cyberknife radiation sessions, the tumor never did shrink enough to remove, but at this point it is not growing or spreading. (next scan in May). 9 years ago when I was diagnosed, the future was vague to me, and what’s weird is that it still is. Vague. You would think that with a heads up on my impending lack of time, that I would have a more distinct, and perhaps decisive idea about my future, but I don’t. I continue to walk just taking it all minute by minute, which is good I know, but honestly I’m just not sure how I should hold the idea of the future (other than lightly). 💜
Once again, Diana, thank you for this wonderful reflection. In some ways, it reminds me very much of Walter Brueggemann's way of viewing the Psalms as psalms of orientation, psalms of disorientation, psalms of new orientation. Your notion of relocation, I think, is similar to discovering and naming the new orientation, which is the work of those who follow Jesus. Thanks!
Many of us search for the reason many previously sensible people have latched onto cults and political theories and even Q. I believe your diagnosis that this happens when they feel their former story has failed them makes sense. Those of us who tell the Jesus "story" need to double down as you are doing. Criticizing the new story they have embraced only causes them to support it more strongly. Reasoning doesn't work. "'Tis foolish to think that reason can
My soul is listless, languishing, lukewarm, limping, losing and lost. She is not longing, looking or listening. She doesn’t have any energy, enthusiasm or expectations. My soul is simply existing in the present moment.
With our living God we will find our way together !
May 7 - 3:10 unable to find the live chat- still hoping for help to get in Mary Ann
I can't find the live chat!!!
How can you be a guide or weaver in a post-pandemic world?
Communicate clearly.
Set firm boundaries.
Express what I can do and what I cannot do.
Use my imagination and I will likely change the way I do things continually so do not have the expectation that I can or will do church the same way from week to week. I want to be free, like Jesus.
My current belief that there can be no return to “normal” in a post pandemic time frame.
I did not believe that there was a return to “normal” after 9/11/2001.
Define “normal” How do I respond to those who “want to return to normal”?
I read both Rev. Bass's article and ALL the comments. She nailed the 4 losses we are dealing with...me, I'd add a bringing-things-all-together 5th: the impact of the pandemic on society's concept of personal agency.
Also, seems to me (a social historian) that no one is pointing out the very real relationship between catastrophic events and the "existential" crises of "society" that followed the major events: i.e. the plague(s) and the Reformation; WW1 and the global 18-19 pandemic and the disaffection (some have called it a crisis in faith) of the roaring '20s, etc.
Thanks for this! I appreciate that you don’t pretend to “know” what is ahead (for indeed, God only knows) yet you offer useful terms and definitions which help make the discussion meaningful.
I don't feel so much LOSS as an opportunity to dismantle, sort and rebuild. I have read a great deal - much more than I usually do. When I need connection, I call or email. No one would have confused me for a "thinker" but I have been thinking... and I think we have a chance to reconnect in ways that are more authentic. We can stop doing the things that don't feed anyone and attend to the ones that do.
I feel that now more than ever we as the church need to get this right.
I keep thinking that the chaos of this pandemic has presented us with some kind of opportunity. I'm just not sure what it is and I am desperate not to squander it. I find myself worrying that I have not learned enough. I've not learned enough about all those mundane things like how to do zoom and podcasts and facebook live. I have not learned enough about how maintain connections with those in my care. I have not learned enough about reaching out to those who need to connect with a loving community of faith. Thank you for the reminder to be about the business of mending what has been broken, recovering what has been mislaid, and reconnecting that which is frayed.
And I guess when you are not sure what to do or say it's always a good idea to pivot to Jesus.
Diane wants more you You have given me words to Express the Dislocations in my 87 hears. I have survived by striving to stay connected, to find ways to minister to others, to nurture my soul, and accept my disabilities! Journaling has been a Valuable .I've started my 5th journal.
Listening to Dr Hawkins last night to her experiences caused me to reflect on my surviving two such losses! Each dislocation deepen my faith in the value of connecting with your self and others!
This past year has given me the time to discover writers such as yourself who have feed my soul! I
I
Very timely with the gospel lesson in the revised common lectionary: John 15 Jesus invites the disciples and us to abide, as the branch does to a vine. What does “abide” look like for the post pandemic church? Diana, you help point the way!
Hank Burwell
"No one know what the future holds" does not hold water. Past practice is an excellent predictor of the future.
The 1918 flue pandemic killed and estimated 700,000 Americans when the population was less than one third the present. Covid19 would have to kill 2.3 million to be on the same level in the US. Yes, we have lost almost 0.7 million to the virus. The Nation and churches picked up and went on after the 1918 pandemic. We will do the same.
The black death infected London about 1613 kill and estimate 60 to 65% of the population. They picked up and over a few decades went on.
Small pox is estimated to have killed 400 million people in the past two centuries despite having an often not used vaccine. People picked up and went on.
We will pick up and go on after Covid19.
"Time is an odd thing. Experienced by change and chronology." Time is a real event experienced by our memories of events, history and the laws of physics. "Theologically there is no past, present or future." Thus, the Israelites did not flee Egypt some three thousand years go, Christ did not prophesies and face death on the cross two thousand years ago, George Floyd did not die in this decade, as the Christian theology has no past, present nor future?
"We don't know where we are in the course of the pandemic." We know exactly were we are in the course of the pandemic with good estimates on the number of cases, deaths and vaccinations. Treatment in hospitals has been dramatically improved. People are masking, social distancing, being vaccinated and taking other measure to limit the virus. The poor and marginal countries continue to suffer extensive illness and death. The claimed "Christians" have failed to deal with these medical deserts and lack of vaccines in the impoverished countries. We have loved ourselves and not our neighbors.
"We have lost a lot." No, we have survived with only a modest death rate, gained perspective, developed multiple vaccines and most are getting through Covid19. Look at the Flu Pandemic of 1918, the Black Death, small pox and other diseases for loosing a lot.
Yes, negative conspiracy theories and political deconstruction are real and reflect our self interest and ignorance. Not long ago Christian were burning women at the stake for being witches. The ignorance and imaginary fear continues in the year 2021 with a changed focus.
Physical dislocation or social change is real. Life is all about dealing with change. Those who deal well with change become successful in living a purposed life.
"Religare - reconnect." Covid19 upset the religious order as it could not deal with change trapped in self focus and tradition. Yes, the post-pandemic church is about embracing change. Relocating with God has alway been a journey of change.
The future is an odd being. 9 years ago I was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer and was expected to last 2 years if I was lucky. After a whole year of chemo and a few cyberknife radiation sessions, the tumor never did shrink enough to remove, but at this point it is not growing or spreading. (next scan in May). 9 years ago when I was diagnosed, the future was vague to me, and what’s weird is that it still is. Vague. You would think that with a heads up on my impending lack of time, that I would have a more distinct, and perhaps decisive idea about my future, but I don’t. I continue to walk just taking it all minute by minute, which is good I know, but honestly I’m just not sure how I should hold the idea of the future (other than lightly). 💜
Once again, Diana, thank you for this wonderful reflection. In some ways, it reminds me very much of Walter Brueggemann's way of viewing the Psalms as psalms of orientation, psalms of disorientation, psalms of new orientation. Your notion of relocation, I think, is similar to discovering and naming the new orientation, which is the work of those who follow Jesus. Thanks!
Many of us search for the reason many previously sensible people have latched onto cults and political theories and even Q. I believe your diagnosis that this happens when they feel their former story has failed them makes sense. Those of us who tell the Jesus "story" need to double down as you are doing. Criticizing the new story they have embraced only causes them to support it more strongly. Reasoning doesn't work. "'Tis foolish to think that reason can
govern the reasoning creature, man."
My soul is listless, languishing, lukewarm, limping, losing and lost. She is not longing, looking or listening. She doesn’t have any energy, enthusiasm or expectations. My soul is simply existing in the present moment.
Much to think about here. Relocating is a good description.