Hi, I’m here at the Temple in Independence.
I come here occasionally during this time of primarily working remotely, to simply
think and pray about all the members and friends of the church throughout the 
world during this time of pandemic.
As I sit here, I hear in my mind and heart, the echos of excited voices and beautiful
singing from past experiences here in the Temple;
and like all of you I certainly look forward to the time when we will return
to those kind of gatherings, and to have in-person fellowship with each other.
While there are some hopeful indicators, it appears that coping with the COVID-19 pandemic will continue for some time.
Being careful, informed, wise, and patient will be our watchwords in
the months ahead.
Recently, I discovered a new book that is relevant to coping 
emotionally and spiritually with current circumstances.
The book is titled The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
by Vivek Murthy, MD, former Surgeon General of the United States.
Quoting from the book: “This is a book about the importance
of human connection, the hidden impact of loneliness on
our health, and the social power of community.”
Which especially grabbed my attention
Dr. Murthy wrote the book because of “the rising physical
and emotional toll of social disconnection”
that is increasing in the world.
What he did not anticipate was “the unprecedented
test that our global community would face just as his
book was going to press: the COVID-19 pandemic and the need
to “socially distance” ourselves to avoid major health risks.
As Murthy stated, “The public health imperative was [is]
clear: To save lives, we’d need to radically increase the 
space between us.”
He explains that the term social distancing is unfortunate.
It seems to imply relational as well as physical separation.
“If we could not meet, how could we connect?
If we could not share the same space, how could we
help each other? If we could not touch, how could we love?”
The phrase being used to help guard our health “seems
to condemn us to loneliness,” which Murthy also sees
as a major threat to our well-being.
polarization, division, and mistrust in society intensify
the predicament. “…panic over the potential economic
fallout drove some to ignore the official [health] mandates
and hoard emergency supplies.” Resisting health
mandates in some areas has prolonged needed separation.
As Murthy described it: “Alongside the looming specter
of global financial recession rose an equally disturbing
prospect of a social recession
I thought that was an interesting phrase
a social recession
—a fraying of communal bonds that deepens
in severity the longer we go without [meaningful] human interaction.”
Early in the pandemic, in response to this kind of concern,
World Church leaders shifted from the term social distancing to
physical distancing in our communications. We need to maintain
physical space and limit our number of interpersonal contacts
beyond immediate family to slow the spread of COVID-19.
At the same time, as disciples and members of Community of Christ,
we are called to put our faith and ingenuity into practice to
“promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.”
How can we reach out to family, friends, and others
to promote community and avoid a relational “recession”
that negatively impacts physical and emotional well-being?
With that aim, Murthy points out how fortunate we
are to have technology that provides opportunities to enhance
our relationships while keeping physical distance as needed.
He advocates four basic strategies that “will help us not
only to weather this crisis but also to heal our social world
far into the future.”
While these strategies are not new, we are
reminded of their importance as we continue to cope with
COVID-19 and related impacts.
And I’ll share a brief summary of each one
of those strategies
We must persevere in faith, hope, and wisdom as we
adapt our lives to this time of pandemic. Please don’t disregard
recommended precautions to keep you, your family, and community safe and healthy.
Also, let’s continue to create innovative ways to grow
community in Christ and decrease relational distance as
we maintain physical distance. Using all the means available,
how many people can you “connect” with, support,
and serve daily? Each caring overture will benefit others,
yourself, and Christ’s mission,
tilting the world toward healing and a brighter
future beyond the pandemic.
