Covid Calling Reflections

Written by Paulette Olsen, CtK Member
 
What are you missing most during the COVID-19 pandemic? Many would answer “personal contact;” being able to reach out to those who touch our lives with handshakes, hugs, or just sharing a cup of coffee. Recently, several CtK members began an outreach effort of phone calling other CtK members for a pandemic check-in. While there are hundreds of family units on our church roster, most of us are acquainted with only a limited number. As one of the COVID callers, it was a joy to experience the scope of the church’s outreach first hand. Katie Ahern, this blog’s coordinator, asked me to share my experience calling parishioners. Here are some reflections:
 
Members are diversely affected. Some lives are basically unchanged. Many are working from home. Young people are being home schooled through distance learning, and some go to school. Grandparents and parents are teaching their kids at home. Some members are struggling with job loss, income loss, or worries about paying for fuel to heat their home. Many elders are "shut-in," trying to stay safe from the virus.
 
Shared experiences:

• I virtually baked Christmas cookies with a husband and wife at their kitchen counter. While they baked, we chatted. The only thing I missed was getting to taste the cookies with coffee!
• A grandparent was “going crazy” trying to manage multiple grade school children on their distance learning programs, while other younger children were running around the house!
• Some members are mourning the loss of loved ones—alone.
• A family’s daughter managed to have an outdoor wedding!
• CtK’s creativity in offering worship services during this time, and innovations like drive-up soup meals at Thanksgiving and the Children’s/Family Christmas Pageant are greatly appreciated.
• When asked how he was getting along during “Covid time”, a gentleman quickly responded, “I’m living the dream”— and we both broke out laughing at his joke!
• People are enjoying “going to church” in their pajamas with coffee in hand!
• Parishioners are grateful for the many innovative ways CtK is reaching out.
• Our church family is blessed with several retired clergy or seminary leaders.
• Member contact information is in a constant state of flux - new phones, emails and addresses. This outreach helps catch or correct some of the changes.
• It was gratifying to offer some hope to out-of-work individuals, sharing the news of CtK’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
• Our CtK Choir members deeply miss music making, friendships and Heather Nelson!
• I noted the spring phone conversations were mostly short. This winter’s conversations were frequently up to 30, 60, and even 90 minutes!
• Disease, surgeries, accidents and injuries do not recognize COVID. Members are recovering from various medical interventions.
• One CtK member even launched a new and successful business during COVID!                                         

Besides hearing member stories, the telephone team delivered congregational messages on 1) how to connect with the church 2) the COVID-19 Relief Fund, and 3) Christmas and worship services on the website. Not surprising, the greatest bulk of all these contacts ended in leaving voice mail messages or emails. This is a congregation of busy people in all stages of life! My final impression? CtK is much more than a building. We are a family of believers who appreciate and care for one another, intermittently being either the givers or the receivers of that congregational care. “We are apart for now, but together for good.” 
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—Paulette Olsen   
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CtK extends a BIG thank you to all of our volunteer callers with special thanks to Vern Rice, Diane Shallue, and Paulette Olsen. Your outreach has kept us in touch with members, informed us of otherwise unknown pastoral care needs, and united us in prayer with collected prayer requests. Thank you for your dedicated efforts!