Thoughts from your Regional Minister
As 2022 begins, regional leadership is wrestling with how to go forward considering ever-changing COVID-19 infection rates.
By Rev Ken Marston, Co-Regional Minister and Interim President
As published in the February 2022 issue of the Kansas Messenger
On the one hand, we human beings are social creatures that need to be in relationship and in the presence of others for our emotional and physical, and I would add spiritual wellbeing.
On the other hand, being present with each other in large gatherings does pose a real risk to those very same things – our emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. There are no easy answers to this predicament and as we go through this year, we need to navigate this time with a deep love and concern for both ourselves and our neighbors.
We plan for much of regional church life to look nearly like it did
pre-pandemic. We plan for in-person retreats, workshops, and training events, while planning and administrative meetings will lean more towards the use of video conferencing. Some of this we were starting to do three years ago as a financial cost and time-saving effort. At the same time, our planning will be flexible with how we gather and we will continue to utilize lessons we have learned.
What are some of those lessons?
- Get vaccinated. These vaccines are safe and highly effective. Unless there is a medical reason supported by a doctor’s recommendation not to be vaccinated, this is one of the best ways we can learn to live with this COVID-19 virus.
- Wear a facemask. When we gather indoors, we will encourage everyone to wear a good quality facemask and keep a distance of at least four feet apart as much as possible.
- Use good hygiene practices. Hand washing and sanitizing of surfaces is always a good practice as it helps to prevent the spread of many viruses beyond COVID-19.
Please join me in this work, as we value the wellbeing of others as much as we value our personal freedom.