Marking One Year of Pandemic: Sharing our Stories
On March 16, 2020, Bishop Wayne Smith and (then) Bishop-elect Deon Johnson officially suspended public worship throughout The Diocese of Missouri because of the COVID-19 virus. Since that time, all our lives have been changed forever by this deadly pandemic.
Our community of faith has responded in many ways to the challenges of the past year. We have moved our worship services online, we have sheltered the unhoused and fed the hungry in our church buildings, we have prayed for those who have died and comforted those who grieve.
Providing Relief
The Diocese of Missouri has taken steps to financially assist our parishes and communities of faith through this difficult time:
- In March 2020, Diocesan Council approved emergency funds in the amount of $200,000 to be used to assist our parishes and mission with the operating hardships caused by COVID.
- In June 2020, Diocesan Council specifically designated a portion of the $200,000 to be used to assist churches with the cost of the required cleaning of their facilities in preparation for resuming in person gatherings.
- In September 2020, they designated an additional portion of the $200,000 to be used to assist with livestreaming equipment.
To date, we have awarded $150,996 of this amount in emergency grants:
- 6 grants for general operating expenses
- 8 grants for cleaning costs
- 17 grants for livestreaming equipment
Sharing your stories
As we mark this one-year anniversary, we'd like to hear your stories:
- COVID Grief:
Share stories of lives of lifestyles lost to the pandemic.
Examples: We have 11 deaths from COVID reported to the diocese (add your memorial here), job losses, missed holidays with family members, missing in-person worship and ministries...
- COVID Blessings:
Share the good news items and the silver linings you have found or created during the pandemic.
Examples: Morning Prayer on Facebook, Drive-in Eucharists, delivering children's programs to families, celebrating birthdays with parades, equipping your parish with video equipment, developing new ways to serve your community...
Send your stories and/or pictures to [email protected] (please write "COVID Stories" in the subject line). We will put everything together and share our stories of faith during this extraordinary time.
Staying Vigilant
Although vaccines are bringing a new sense of hope, we know our struggles with this pandemic are not over. We encourage everyone to get their vaccine when you are able. And please, continue to wear your face masks and maintain a safe social distance when you are with others.
We will keep you posted on updates from health officials and worship and gathering guidelines from the Bishop as we move forward together. (Visit our COVID-19 page for the latest information.)
Tags: News