By Colleen Farnan
Although all of us in our church community have been physically separated during the COVID-19 crisis, we still remain very much connected. Our pastors have been working very hard to make sure our sense of the church community continues. Also, the staff of the church as well as congregants have stepped up to help in these efforts. Camilla Smith says that, “The church has been keeping in touch with me in a personal way. A half a dozen people from the church have been calling and sending cards. It is ver
much appreciated.” Joan Hemming agrees that the church is doing what can be done to keep us connected. Will Chamberlin relates that both pastors have called him which he appreciates.
For many in the church dealing with this crisis, the glass is half full rather than half empty. Camilla says that, “I am grateful that I have so much. I am fortunate to be in a good place that is a warm and wonderful community.”
Will says that he is doing fine. He is lucky that this crisis occurred at this time in his life because he is retired. He couldn’t have worked from home had this occurred earlier in his life. Will’s retirement is secure but he worries about other people who have lost their income.
Camilla lives in Independent Living at Woodlawn Commons where her grocery shopping is done for her. She emphasizes that the staff is great as well as well as all her friends at this residence. At Woodlawn Commons, visitors are discouraged from coming in the facility. Camilla says that the residents socialize at a distance of 6 feet. More importantly, daily updates are given to residents according to Camilla.
Will has been baking and has been dropping off his baked goods at friend’s homes. His specialty is strawberry pie. This is positive for two reasons. It gives Will something to do and he is able to brighten someone’s day by surprising them with a baked good. He drops the baked goods on their door stop at a safe distance.
For Joan, it depends on the day how she is doing. Joan moved to the Saratoga about 4 and 1⁄2 years ago because the community had so much to offer. She moved here to live close to her son and daughter-in-law. Joan is active in the church as a member of the choir and bell choir and volunteer at Grant cottage. Now, she hasn’t been able to do any of it.
The silver lining for Joan is that small things that she never thought too much about seem more special now. For example, while Joan was driving, she was excited to see a friend driving into a garden center. Joan followed her friend into the parking lot and was able to chat with her at a safe distance. Also, she went to Dairy Haus recently to get ice cream in a drive
through which was a big deal to her. Before this, Joan didn’t realize how much she needed to interact with people. She especially misses being in church and misses seeing everyone. Will also misses church tremendously.
Camilla relates that one of the church’s good deeds has been passed along. Because her daughter’s church at the Hong Kong Methodist Church was affected by this crisis earlier than our church, Camilla organized a card drive. Congregants in our church sent cards with messages to Hong Kong to lift their spirits. Pastor Fletcher of this church related his thanks on behalf of this church to our kindness. The members of this church sent a You Tube video to us with all our cards posted on a bulletin board. This church is still not meeting but is sending cards to Wuhan, China to pass along our good deed.
From speaking with three people in our church, it is apparent that our church is still very much connected in this difficult time. While the people in the church have faced challenges, many positive things have happened to our church community.