Reflecting together, 21 May: inhabiting the public realm in the midst of lockdown

Opening reflection by Anna Rowlands

What are we learning about what it means to be human (in all of its complexity)?

• Coronavirus brought back commonality? How we experience the situation is different, but we have a shared public life again.
• We already have being human in common, but we put other things in its place, e.g. TV, sport, etc.
• We’re also learning what we don’t have in common, the level of privilege we bring into this situation.
• How could the church misbehave well in public? To protest against unjust structures.  
• How could church identify with those who have be made to feel lesser, not enough?
• The lockdown situation has intensified emotions (up and down).
• Missing human contact, being able to give someone a hug.
• We take our freedom for granted. People in prisons are locked down permanently.
• Some people feel cared for now (previously they felt forgotten). Some people are worried about being forgotten again once lockdown ends.

How do we create a genuinely shared world? (What is the Christian contribution to this?)

• We will have to live in both spheres (in person and online).
• Ideals and aspirations for going forward at the beginning of lockdown are already being lost.
• We need to stay open to a multiplicity of voices within the church.
• We must open our ears and hearts.
• Church often acts like it has all the answers, we should humble ourselves.
• We need to be alongside others beyond the walls of church. We can learn a lot from others / people on the margins.
• We still need to help people to shield, people are already forgetting this as things begin to open up.
• The origins of the word idiot – someone who thought they could survive on their own.
• Churches asking ‘how do we survive this?’ – the wrong question to be asking.
• The Church has to go public – faith in public life.
• The model of church needs to change from having a ‘gatekeeper’ to ‘priesthood for all’.
• Share our work and our journeys with each other, especially people doing the same work in different parts of the country.
• Smaller churches have seemed better connected and equipped for true engagement and connection.