15 May 2020

Trouble with Reopening

I may be on my way back to tension with my church. With restrictions starting to be lifted in my state, I'm worried that our church will push to open far beyond what is actually safe. Our state might be allowing 50% of lowest occupancy level for churches, but our small church building is far too small for 50% to be safe - we certainly all can't keep 6 feet apart in there. But we have people, including our priest, who are saying we should allow 45 people and have everyone stay for the whole service and start up after-service lunch again.

I want to go back to church. I want to go back to normal. But we are not out of this pandemic yet, and it isn't safe to act as if we are. And I don't know if I can go to church with a good conscience yet. Especially when I'm also still slightly panicking when going grocery shopping.

Plus, again, I think we have to balance our needs with how we are presented to our neighbors. My parents are extremely careful right now, and they were freaked out enough when I told them about the 'communion only' option that my church had at the height of this wave of the pandemic. Do I honor my parents' wishes that I not attend? How hypocritical would I be if I were to advocate such a slow reopening in the state, and then attend a 2 hour church service with 44 other people?

I'm not worried for myself. I'm worried that I may pass on the virus to others who are in a more vulnerable position, including my parents. And including my great-uncle who is having mini-strokes and may need someone to go and help him and I live closest (still two states away, but still). How can I attend church and still be able to go help my vulnerable great-uncle?

I'm not ready. And I'm scared that my church will go too far, too fast, and lose members for it. What does it say that I get an email from my priest about 45 people attending the full service and I immediately go check out the website of the Greek church in the area? And I'm the secretary of the parish council. I don't know what's going to happen, and I'm worried.

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