Solidarity and sacrifice
Reflections from our 9 April online discussions on what it means to be church on the margins during the pandemic.
Opening reflection by Deirdre Brower Latz
The Church needs to change after Coronavirus
- The church needs to be called to account and radically share its resources
- Churches need to be transformed/reimagined/ authentic – not carry on as before
- Some churches are not involved in the crisis response / how are affluent areas responding?
- New collaborations and alliances should be maintained
Solidarity
- Many people are not online, some churches have been delivering resources to people to keep in touch
- Inequalities have been exposed
- ‘God is showing us new things from the perspective of the last and the least.’
- Lack of understanding among decision-makers
- Helping at the uber local level
- Chatting to people in the foodbank queue / checking in with people
- Increase in volunteering / kindness
- Communities are coming together
Sacrifice
- It’s an inconvenience for some, not a sacrifice
- Giving up small foodbank, letting bigger one take over to make sure resources reach people
- Being separated from people and the church building
- Domestic violence / conflicts at home
- Feeling / being powerless
Learning from others
- What can we learn from people who were marginalised before? E.g. some people with autism do not like touch / prefer social distance. What can we learn from this?
Holy Week and Easter
- Solidarity of Jesus / turning the tables
- Foot washing / caring / nursing / healing / self-care
- Receiving, not giving (is ok) – gratitude
- Sadness and joy in Easter
Reaching people
- Some people have no way of communicating at the moment, no phone or internet
- Reaching people who are homeless ?
Voice
- Importance of speaking to society / government about how people are being affected – people to speak out
- Disability activism
- Society has to change
Reimagining
- Solidarity and sacrifice as counter- infections (fighting the virus)
Research and Information Officer
