Another victim of the closures were mainstream churches. The more conservative, larger churches thrived because they remained open. Our church lost many members who have found it is just easier not to attend and I honestly think it was a dereliction of duty to restrict access to our houses of worship. (I want to make it clear, that thi…
Another victim of the closures were mainstream churches. The more conservative, larger churches thrived because they remained open. Our church lost many members who have found it is just easier not to attend and I honestly think it was a dereliction of duty to restrict access to our houses of worship. (I want to make it clear, that this was a policy of the national/state church who followed CDC guideance- not state imposed.) People didn't HAVE to attend if they were nervous, but basically locking us out was never a good idea, especially during a time of international crisis. But I absolutely agree that the school closures were the worst idea with the most far reaching terrible effects.
I had the unpleasant experience of visiting my home town in Maryland in May 2021 and applying to the church where my parents’ ashes are interred in an outside columbarium. I had been fully vaxxed since February, asked to visit on a weekday when no one was there, swore to wear a (pointless) mask, so I could walk across the lobby and go back outside in a little courtyard where the ashes are interred. My request was DENIED. I quoted literature to the pastor, made reasoned arguments, and was denied again. I finally told them I felt that the church had clearly abdicated their responsibility to their congregation and mankind through cowardice, and that I, as a surgeon, taking many more risks that they could ever imagine, never failed to show up for work through COVID. Or for that matter, HIV back in the 90s when I did residency in an inner city state hospital and if you got it you died, no exception. They requested I not come to their church. True Christian charity and bravery.
I think I'll respect their wishes to remain where they are and wait for a new (more intelligent and courageous) pastor. Whatever happened to the Christians who would go amongst the lepers to offer comfort, right?
This is a terrible story, truly not followers of Christ. I am so sorry to hear that, and because our dictates came from the diocese, there was no one to whom we could appeal. I am so sorry.
My request put no one at risk, so why deny me? On a sleepy, off season Wednesday, unlock the front door and go back in the church office. Let me walk across the lobby wearing a mask, and go into the outdoor courtyard to see my parents. Knock on the door to tell me it is time to leave, and I would walk, masked, back across the deserted church lobby and leave. Throughout, I would have touched 5 surfaces - door handles at the entry and the door to the courtyard, and the plaque over my parents' remains, all easily sanitized with a wipe. It still mystifies and saddens me. I have not been back, and that hurts. The diocese was wrong, but the pastors were more wrong to comply. Christians should have courage.
I am one such person. My large (small town)traditional United Methodist church was shut down for months in a state where there were no lockdowns or mask mandates. Even at the time of the craziest crazy I kept thinking that surely the church should be open. We needed church. But mine was closed. I have never gone back. If I’m left on my own to worship when times are rough I figure I can handle it when they’re better too.
Another victim of the closures were mainstream churches. The more conservative, larger churches thrived because they remained open. Our church lost many members who have found it is just easier not to attend and I honestly think it was a dereliction of duty to restrict access to our houses of worship. (I want to make it clear, that this was a policy of the national/state church who followed CDC guideance- not state imposed.) People didn't HAVE to attend if they were nervous, but basically locking us out was never a good idea, especially during a time of international crisis. But I absolutely agree that the school closures were the worst idea with the most far reaching terrible effects.
I had the unpleasant experience of visiting my home town in Maryland in May 2021 and applying to the church where my parents’ ashes are interred in an outside columbarium. I had been fully vaxxed since February, asked to visit on a weekday when no one was there, swore to wear a (pointless) mask, so I could walk across the lobby and go back outside in a little courtyard where the ashes are interred. My request was DENIED. I quoted literature to the pastor, made reasoned arguments, and was denied again. I finally told them I felt that the church had clearly abdicated their responsibility to their congregation and mankind through cowardice, and that I, as a surgeon, taking many more risks that they could ever imagine, never failed to show up for work through COVID. Or for that matter, HIV back in the 90s when I did residency in an inner city state hospital and if you got it you died, no exception. They requested I not come to their church. True Christian charity and bravery.
Truly horrible.
Can you move your parents ashes to a church of your choosing?
I think I'll respect their wishes to remain where they are and wait for a new (more intelligent and courageous) pastor. Whatever happened to the Christians who would go amongst the lepers to offer comfort, right?
Right!
This is a terrible story, truly not followers of Christ. I am so sorry to hear that, and because our dictates came from the diocese, there was no one to whom we could appeal. I am so sorry.
My request put no one at risk, so why deny me? On a sleepy, off season Wednesday, unlock the front door and go back in the church office. Let me walk across the lobby wearing a mask, and go into the outdoor courtyard to see my parents. Knock on the door to tell me it is time to leave, and I would walk, masked, back across the deserted church lobby and leave. Throughout, I would have touched 5 surfaces - door handles at the entry and the door to the courtyard, and the plaque over my parents' remains, all easily sanitized with a wipe. It still mystifies and saddens me. I have not been back, and that hurts. The diocese was wrong, but the pastors were more wrong to comply. Christians should have courage.
Another side effect from Covid.; irrational fear. We should all have courage and appropriate fear.
I am one such person. My large (small town)traditional United Methodist church was shut down for months in a state where there were no lockdowns or mask mandates. Even at the time of the craziest crazy I kept thinking that surely the church should be open. We needed church. But mine was closed. I have never gone back. If I’m left on my own to worship when times are rough I figure I can handle it when they’re better too.
Yes. I agree. with your last sentence. The Catholics were the first of the mainstream to come back, we (Episcopalian) were among the last.