Amy Long: Community in the age of COVID – The Hutchinson News

As the weeks and months pass and I grow increasingly weary of social distancing, masks, and endless hand washing, I find myself wondering whether there is anything to gain from life in a pandemic. Dont get me wrong. I yearn for a return to "normal." But I am also an eternal optimist, and I cannot help but count the glimmers of goodness whenever I am faced with an obstacle.

I appreciate seeing businesses that were once open 24 hours a day closed at night and on holidays. I am grateful for employees able to be home with their families, and a step back from the instant gratification mindset that has become so prevalent in our lives.

I take greater pleasure in the limited social interactions that are now a part of my days. Running into a friend in the aisles of the grocery store has become a joyous opportunity to catch up. "How are you?" is a genuine question once again, rather than a distracted greeting that leaves no time for a reply.

I am touched by the politeness and courtesy that has reentered my encounters with strangers and friends alike. We wear masks to protect others. We ask before touching or approaching, in order to respect the boundaries of those we meet.

I love the ways in which communication has become more intentional. We no longer take contact with others for granted. We put more effort into reaching out. Just last week, my teenager sat down and drafted a hand-written letter to her aunt.

All around me, people are figuring out how to "do" community in the age of COVID. And these are lessons worth considering in our faith communities as well.

Maybe we need to stop planning twenty different services in a week to accommodate every preference or schedule. We need to be less concerned about meeting wants and more concerned about meeting needs, less focused on entertaining and more on worshiping.

Maybe we need to take more time to value our connections with one another. I have realized just how much I depend on my church community to support me in my life of faith. When we are again able to meet for fellowship hour after worship, we can focus more on conversations than on cookies.

Maybe we can do more to recognize and respect individual needs. Some people really do not want a hug pandemic or not. Others really do need us to stay home or practice better hygiene when we are not well. Showing up sick demonstrates carelessness, not dedication.

And maybe we can continue to be intentional in our communication with others. I am suddenly aware of how isolating it must be for church members who do not email now that this is the primary form of communication from my community of faith. I know I can do better to meet them where they are.

Of course, there are many more layers to these musings than I can fit in a single column, so please forgive my necessary oversimplifications. But I pray you will join me in seeking out the good where it can be found and yearning to come out on the other side of this with greater kindness, compassion, and understanding for the communities we are privileged to call our own.

Amy Long is an assistant priest at Grace Episcopal Church.

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Amy Long: Community in the age of COVID - The Hutchinson News