Leader says distancing needed is 'physical,' not 'social'
The Rev. Gregg Sealey
Gregg Sealey - superintendent of the Inland Missional District of Greater Northwest (GNW) Area of the United Methodist Church, said Bishop Elaine Stanovsky suspended all gatherings in the area—Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Even in areas where the virus hasn't been confirmed by tests, health officials say it is likely to be present, so she took that step to prevent or slow its spread and avoid overwhelming the health system.
"In this time of challenge, I want to help in whatever ways I can," Gregg said.
The conference has a list of churches offering online worship opportunities at https://greaternw.org/coronavirus/
"All in-person gatherings are suspended with a call for physical—I'm using 'physical' because we do need to be socially connected—distancing "that is both foreign to our ethos but necessary to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic," Gregg said, reminding of the practices that everyone should be doing by now: 20-second hand washing, no-touch greetings, avoiding groups and staying home if not feeling well.
Gregg is sharing weekly Zoom conference calls to support clergy and lay leaders and holds all in prayer "during these days of isolation and anxiety." His facebook page has information on opportunities to worship online in the Greater Northwest Area of the UMC.
For updates, call 800-755-7710 or go to pnwumc.org or greaternw.org.
Copyright@ The Fig Tree, April, 2020
