Congregations and Leaders in the New England Synod,

I have confidence in you!

I believe you to be wise, thoughtful and faithful people!

I’m aware that many members of congregations are concerned and wondering how to respond now as the coronavirus is among us. My thoughts on this matter are really quite simple:

1. Be thoughtful, not overly reactive. Exercise wisdom.

2. Consult the CDC website for advice.

3. Consult the ELCA Document, “Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns” for suggestions. Here’s the link.

4. Use your discretion regarding congregational life.

In the midst of any challenging situation, there is a mathematical equation to which I always refer:

Event = Outcome

Response

The “Event” can be anything, for example, from a budget shortfall.... to a family dynamic.... to a virus. These are real events. The “Response” refers to the response of the person, organization, or organism.

If you recall your 8th grade math class, the bottom factor, the denominator, has significant influence on the outcome. We may not be able to change the event, but we can have an impact through our response.

All this is to say, that you as leaders have an important role in this or any destabilizing event: If you are calm, wise and thoughtful, that will impact how an event plays out in your congregation.

Therefore, in this time of the coronavirus, I encourage you to balance the need for thoughtful decisions around worship practices and congregational gatherings, with the need for calm and less reactive responses.

Yes, this virus is serious for people who have compromised immune systems, breathing conditions, and are frail. What is also true is that:

a) younger persons do not seem to be impacted in large numbers

b) a very high percentage of infected people recover, and

c) the vast majority of U.S. Americans have not contracted this virus at this time.

Yes, it’s serious.... but let’s be calm and remember the most frequently used words of Jesus in the New Testament, “Fear not.”

Sincerely,

Bishop James Hazelwood