Author Topic: masks in church (Read 2881 times)

Taalcon · « **Reply #60 on:** January 15, 2021, 08:33:41 pm »

After our ward (which is full of anti-Maskers) was so proud in being the first in the Stake to open up in-person second hour at the end of December, the reality of the surges in our part of Georgia had the Stake shut them down ASAP. Since January, we've been doing regularly scheduled online Second Hour, and as one of two Gospel Doctrine teachers, I have never once had to miss an assigned teaching Sunday (they knew when they called me I would not be attending in-person for the foreseeable future - and the single in-person lesson they had [which I watched online, and saw several mask-less individuals, including one handing out papers to the entire class] was not my assigned week).

Palmon · « **Reply #61 on:** January 16, 2021, 06:09:46 pm »

Patty Rain, me too - I'm surprised. At the same time, I know of people really suffering from the isolation caused by the lockdowns. I live in a senior community. I just learned 1/3 of the members in our branch don't have internet or smartphones.

I haven't been in the same room with any of our kids since March. We don't socialize at all. I occasionally talk to the kids on Facetime or some other app. We've even had virtual family game night a couple of times. I watch sacrament meeting and sunday school on zoom. My husband can bless the sacrment for me. And I am actually friends with him and we enjoy each other's company. We laugh together.

That third of the branch that doesn't have internet or smartphones and therefore can't participate in zoom meetings or facetime, most aren't getting visited by ministers because we've been told not to go into people's homes. They have no church contact and most do not have spouses and roommates are not a thing here. They are suffering.

Our branch may not be like the normal ward but 'dollars to donuts' there are people just as isolated and lonely in those wards and branches. Yes, many people who get this virus get really sick. A small percentage die but if that statistic is your spouse or a friend, the percentages mean nothing.

There is a huge increase in alcoholism, drug addiction, child abuse, suicide by children is increasing - suicide, in general, is increasing, as is mental illness.

I don't know, have in-person church, don't have in-person church - either way, people will suffer. I'm glad that those who walk with God and listen are making these decisions

Jana at Jade House · « **Reply #62 on:** January 17, 2021, 03:58:44 am »

Our hard lockdown has been extended to mid March. Our new bishop has folk come into the building to give talks but no more music people thank goodness. and I see the podium being wiped down between speakers finally. I think the nickel finally dropped when two people in the stake died.

I am used to tending to my own spiritual needs. Bishop Scruffy has included me on online ward things for a while now and it is a blessing. Now that the stake has perked up and has more online I at least get to see my own bishopric.

Ministering has come to a stop. I stopped begging for sacrament. It seems to me my ministering couple are frankly sunday only folks. or maybe they just are oblivious. sigh. I have never had anything like consistant support from church my whole membership.

Thus I go without and attend to my solitary needs in other ways. That is one reason why Nauvoo has been so important.

I continue my personal service projects and pray like mad I will survive this time in good shape.

LMAshton · « **Reply #63 on:** January 17, 2021, 08:59:42 am »

Quote from: Jana at Jade House on January 17, 2021, 03:58:44 am

I am used to tending to my own spiritual needs.

I have never had anything like consistant support from church my whole membership.

Thus I go without and attend to my solitary needs in other ways. That is one reason why Nauvoo has been so important.

This is why Nauvoo is so important to me as well.

Curelom · « **Reply #64 on:** January 17, 2021, 03:40:53 pm »

Hi Jana - sending hugs to you & Andries. 💖

Roper · « **Reply #65 on:** January 17, 2021, 09:34:15 pm »

Jana said, "Thus I go without and attend to my solitary needs in other ways. That is one reason why Nauvoo has been so important."

Laurie said, "This is why Nauvoo is so important to me as well."

Thank you for that.

After what happened at the U.S. capitol last week, I've been thinking that there are far better things for me to do here in Nauvoo than adding more fuel to the fire.