Caring for Neighbors During a Crisis

Last Sunday Pastor Tom called us to respond to the COVID-19 crisis with faith, for our own peace of mind and so we can boldly love our neighbors. This communication is meant to help you pray and think about how to engage the needs around you.

We know that love requires caution with our health and the health of others, but also calls us to proactively care for one another and people in our neighborhoods and workplaces.

As Christians, we should react distinctively different than others, who are led by panic and overwhelmed by crisis. Jesus said in Matthew 12:31, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." Christ is saying that the onus is on us!

Andy Crouch puts it well in his excellent article Love in the Time of Coronavirus. He says,

We have become accustomed to culture being shaped 'somewhere else'- by elected officials, especially national ones; by celebrities; by media. But we are dealing with a virus that is transmitted person to person, in small and large groups of actual people. This is not a virtual crisis - it is a local, embodied one . . . (And so) we need to redirect social energy from anxiety and panic to love and preparation. This crisis presents an extraordinary opportunity to fortify small communities of love and care for our neighbors.

So, we have to do more than simply talk about the gospel's answer to suffering. The world needs to see us apply it to our own hearts and the service of our neighbors.

Thankfully, we have not experienced the historic devastation of previous epidemics. Yet, we shouldn't assume we will not. Fear does not move the people of God, but neither should it make us dismiss the fear and needs of others. Rather, we are called to meet our neighbors in this hour of need whatever comes of it.

With that in mind, please prayerfully consider how you can love your neighbors.

Who Might Need Your Help

Keep in mind that individuals and families have the best sense of their own setting and capacity to serve; however, loving others invariably costs the lover. Please reflect on what time, money, comforts, and convenience you are called to sacrifice. This following list is provided as a prompt to prayer and action. Consider it with your coworkers and neighborhoods in mind, as well as one another.

After considering what you can do in any of these areas, do what you can in faith. We have provided a list of resources below to help you, or to help you help others.

• Shut-ins: The elderly and disabled have ongoing needs for help with daily life logistics.

Consider who in your neighborhood is isolated or in need of help with shopping or errands. Reach out, check in, and offer help. A phone call can be a great encouragement.

• People in high-risk categories: Some of your neighbors or coworkers may have underlying health issues that require special caution. This could include those 60 and older, diabetics and people with immune insufficiency challenges.

Reach out to them as well, and ask how you can provide support that keeps them away from potentially compromising settings.

• Contract employees and low-wage earners: An economic retraction's first victims are contract workers (including tech-workers) and hourly earners who cannot work remotely (restaurant and hospitality workers, laborers, and others).

Who do you know in those sectors? Think about establishments you frequent and the people who work there. Reach out to those folks and ask what you can do to help.

• Families that use school meal programs: As long as schools remain closed, things can quickly become extra challenging for families who rely on school lunches. School districts have set up many locations in the city where breakfasts and lunches can be picked up during school closures. Help make your neighbors aware of those locations and offer to help with picking up meals if needed.

• Health care providers: Nurses, doctors, medical assistants, front desk workers, and others are under increasing pressure, and in some cases risk during an outbreak.

Consider how you can provide support, relief and prayers for those on the frontlines. Ask them what kind of help would be meaningful.

How Redeemer Can Help You and Others

Individual Christians have always been the frontline of care for people in need. However, the church community and its officers have a critical role in supporting you in those efforts.

• Community groups: As you think of how to help others, you may find you need wisdom. You can reach out to your community group leader and your group's shepherding elder.
• Diaconal Care: Our deacons exist to support church members, and by extension their communities. They are eager to help you think through how to best help those in need and to step-in in our service to one another and to neighbors.
• Care-List: Our pastors and officers are aware of members in our community who have acute health or other needs. They do their best to check in on these brothers and sisters, but please reach out if emerging needs arise of which we are not aware. Please contact Brad Tubbesing, at brad@redeemersa.org.

Resources

• Financial Assistance: Redeemer's budget includes benevolence funds to meet the needs of those in our congregation. The deacons have established an assistance review protocol and are prepared to consider requests for support as appropriate and needed.

You may call for yourself or on behalf of another, but please be advised that the recipient will need speak with a deacon. Our policy does not allow for cash support, but the church may help with needs such as,

• Groceries
• Utility bills
• Partial rent or mortgage costs
• Health care costs

For more information contact Pastor Victor Martinez, victor@redeemersa.org or call 210-268-6110. You can also contact Chip Nance, chipnance1@gmail.com.

Remember that the deacons are called to serve the church in its service to others. So, you too have a role in our church being the hands and feet of Christ. Please consider first how you can help the people with whom you have a personal relationship. In the case of participants of your community group, you should check with your community group leader and your group's shepherding elder. The simplest offerings from Christians who live next door or down the street are powerful. If the needs are beyond your reach and that of your community group, our deacons are willing to help.

This is a time of isolation for some. It is also an opportunity for the church to step in and invest our time and resources.

NOTE: If you want to personally serve, there may be opportunities to pick up and deliver prescriptions or other items for those who aren't able to go outside. If you are willing to help with these deliveries and errands, please contact our deacons.

• Technology: During this season when social distancing is required, technology can become a very useful tool to stay connected in helpful ways with your neighbor. Apps like Nextdoor (nextdoor.com) provide a platform where neighbors can connect with each other and be aware of who needs help in the community, even on your own street. It's free and most communities in San Antonio already use it. Facebook, Instagram and even video phone calls, or a regular phone call, will go a long way.

Pastoral Care

Your pastors, elders, and staff are available to you and your neighbors for prayer, visitation of the sick, or to seek clarity about the church's response to the virus. Regardless of the eventual magnitude of the epidemic, people's lives have already been profoundly impacted. Our members and their neighbors are already experiencing isolation, stress, and anxiety. We are available to provide pastoral care and counseling for anyone who is in need. Please contact Brad Tubbesing, at brad@redeemersa.org, or call the church office at 210-930-4480.

But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. Psalm 69:29-32