Halftime
This summer, as the mask mandates began to lift and restaurants began to re-open and vaccines started to become prevalent, there was a sense that we were nearing the end of the pandemic.
We took off our masks, breathed in deeply and awkwardly offered each other hugs, as if trying an ancient custom for the first time.
And then, Delta. Infection rates spiked, hospitals filled back up, vaccinated people got sick (though not nearly as sick as unvaccinated folks) and mask mandates were re- instated.
In hindsight, it seems that this summer may not have been the end of the game, but halftime.
Same Rules, Different Game
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that we can play the 2nd half differently. We have learned a lot over the last 18 months about how to gather safely, how to work remotely and how to navigate the complexity of life amidst a pandemic.
Throughout this whole ordeal, we Wesleyans have relied on our Three Rules to guide our life together. Doing no harm, doing good and attending to the ordinances of God has been lights held before us by our ancestors to light our path. At times dur- ing the first half, these things rules required complete shut downs, social isolation and total quarantine.
But we are now in the second half.
And we should play this half differently.
Below are 5 ways we can move into this second half together, still guided by our rules and yet engaging with the wisdom of seasoned players.
1 Get Vaccinated
This is, by far, the biggest game changer. We now have a vaccine to help us slow the transmission of the virus and lessen the severity of the symptoms if/when the virus is transmitted. The single biggest way for us to do no harm, do good and attend to the ordinances of God in this moment is get vaccinated.
2. Get Tested
We now have tests which often offer same day results. If you have had a suspected ex- posure, or feel any symptoms, get tested. Knowing if you have the virus early can help limit the contact you have with others and slow the spread.
3. Wear a Mask Indoors
Masks are proven to drastically limit the spread of infections primarily passed through expectorants. This is even more important when air circulation is contained indoors. Wearing a mask helps limit both your risks of receiving or spreading the virus.
4. Join a Small Group
One of the lifelines we learned in the first half was, “podding”. We circled our wagons, and got close with a few folks whom we could feel safe around and with whom we could share contact. What an opportunity to remember our first love as Methodists! Small groups have always been our most basic expression of church. In this second half, join or start a small group which you can connect regularly with for holy friend- ship.
5. Pray Often, Alone and With Others
Another lesson for the church over the pandemic was that we had previously majored on the corporate works of our life together (Worship, Sunday School, Bible Study, etc.) and perhaps neglected the disciplines of solitude (Contemplation, Searching Scrip- tires, Fasting, etc.) As we move into the second half, seek to hold both notes together in order to play a chord. Pray alone. Pray with others. Search scriptures. Read scripture with others. Worship in solitude and community. Both with be richer if you do.
The End
As we have learned, we don’t know what fully to expect as we enter into the second half of the pandemic. We will inevitably need to adjust our life together as we go.
And yet, we have also learned that we can adjust.
We can live life together.
We don’t know when the pandemic will fully come to an end, but we do know that we can begin, even now, to imagine what we want the end to look like. Healthy individuals.
Healthy community.
Whole communion.
And by God’s Grace, we can even have a foretaste of that now.