Churches should not be used as political pawns for either side of the aisle. As the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, I will not recklessly risk people’s lives during a pandemic.
An essential role of any faith tradition is to lead people through times of grief into a place of hope. This work is done wherever people of faith find themselves and is not contained in a building. Consequently, as faith communities, we continue our essential services: sheltering people experiencing homelessness; partnering to feed those who are hungry; providing opportunities to worship, study, and gather even when online; contacting each other to encourage and support; and writing elected officials to demand policy changes that reduce the wealth gap, end racial inequity, and address degradation of the environment.
Christian churches, and our interfaith partners, are where we are supposed to be, living our faith out in the world. When we gather back together, it should be with protocols in place that will allow us to be spaces where all may experience safety as well as belonging and purpose.
