Bishop Linda Nicholls of the Church of Canada wrote this reflection on her Church’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan. It seems timely:
“You are the light of the world….” (Matthew 5:14) The church does not exist to serve itself only. We are called to be the light of Christ in the world (Matt 5:14-16). How can the Church witness to God’s care and love in the midst of the anxieties, fears and needs of a world in crisis? What resources do we have to offer? For example, we have pragmatic resources such as our buildings as public spaces; our parishioners as volunteers; our communication networks for education and information sharing; our clergy and laity as pastoral support. We are also the symbolic presence of God in the midst of a community. Our proactive involvement witnesses to the love of God for all.