At the end of March, when schools, businesses and churches began closing their doors to curb the spread of COVID-19, the youth of Myers Park Presbyterian Church came up with an idea. The Charlotte, North Carolina, teens wanted those in the community to know that they weren’t alone.
The physical distancing and isolation occasioned by COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on churches. They must name their grief, mourn their losses and strive to find hope.
There are innumerable differences between Morrison Presbyterian Church and UKirk WCU, but one overriding similarity is the sense of loss due to the pandemic.
As I write, there are reports of yet another school shooting. The refrain “I never thought this would happen here” has become a mantra on the evening news. The circle of those experiencing trauma — or knowing someone who has — widens daily.
The closest the Rev. Bethany Peerbolte has come to heartache associated with Mother’s Day was a couple years ago, when her parents moved from Michigan to North Carolina. “I’m like, ‘If that was hard for me, I can’t imagine what the people in my church are going through when they’ve lost a mother or haven’t had a mother figure who’s really been kind and loving to them, like a mother should be.’”
The holidays have been difficult for Christine Caton ever since her mother died — three days after Christmas. As an only child, with her father already gone, Caton experienced profound grief in losing her mom. The Christmas season only accentuated that grief.
My day started with a call alerting me of a death that had occurred at dawn and requesting the presence of a chaplain for comfort. I had met the family the previous week and knew they were accepting of the prognosis and nearing transition.
Jess Cook’s father, a doctor, had contracted hepatitis B from a patient and died due to complications from the disease nearly 20 years later. Jess said his father always loved juice, and asked for toast and grape juice one day as he was nearing death. Despite having seminary training on Communion, Jess said, “I learned more about the Eucharist that day than in any class.”
The church was festooned with a green wreath above the altar cross and rows of red and white poinsettias. But the lights were dim and the candles were ready, along with small packets of tissues placed strategically in each pew.
