I am greatly concerned that my church is not only not taking Delta seriously but won't take Omicron seriously either. Mask are optional, vaccines aren't required or even asked about, and while the HVAC fan is run continuously and a few windows are open just a crack, there is nothing else being done. Business as usual-singing, choir, no distancing... and people keep saying how wonderful it is that we can worship so safely! God has been merciful, and we live in a highly vaccinated county and state, but the practices are not safe practices!! I would like to send the church a letter expressing my concerns and include some resources to help make my point that while we have not had an outbreak, that is God's grace and not due to our practices! I know you have a lot on your plate, but are there any resources you can direct me to to help me pull together something to present to them? Any help you can give will be appreciated. Thank you!
Thank you SO much Dr. Emily! For your work of goodness and love and your words of truth in difficulty. I would really love to have you over for a cup of tea to give you rest and lift you up in encouragement.
I don't know why christians have become so hostile. But, I would say it's not new news. In Ephesians, Paul prays for revelation and in Galatians he calls out blindness. Christians for all time have misunderstood and misconstrued faith and its dependent actions. I think for too long in the US christians have put too much emphasis on the personal relationship and forgotten the communal nature of God and His people. This I believe is the mystery Paul refers to, which is no mystery at all when we read the Old Testament through the eyes of Paul or listen clearly to Jesus' teachings of being with the Father and witnessing Jesus' community building. My prayer is like Paul's, that the church will have an apocalypse! And for myself, I pray I will be steadfast in mercy and discern good for the flourishing that God created me for.
I feel the first part of your post on Facebook so deeply. People who hold themselves out as Christians and treat people terribly. I have such deep conflict over it I’ve disassociated myself from the majority of those who call themselves Christians in the community that I live in:( and have done so for many years prior to the pandemic. The last two years have just made it worse.
Dr. Fauci said (pre-Omicron) that it would be okay to have a "normal" holiday with friends or family if everyone is fully vaccinated (including kids). Do you think that guidance should change? If we're planning to gather with 100% fully vaccinated family (adults all boosted, kids fully vaccinated), would you think an indoor, unmasked gathering of fewer than 20 people would be reasonable?
Thank you - I think we've decided to scrap the family gathering. :( We do have some older people who are higher risk because of their age. But this helps me navigate some other things we're thinking about (like kid gatherings indoors, now that they are all vaccinated). As always, THANK YOU for everything you do and the time you spend helping everyone through. We appreciate you so much.
Hi! I had the j&j shot back in April and a Pfizer booster in October. Are people who had the j&j shot initially considered to be as “boosted” against Omicron as those with 3 mRNA shots? Should I be getting another Pfizer and/or are any studies following how protected those who initially got j&j are? Thanks!
I am greatly concerned that my church is not only not taking Delta seriously but won't take Omicron seriously either. Mask are optional, vaccines aren't required or even asked about, and while the HVAC fan is run continuously and a few windows are open just a crack, there is nothing else being done. Business as usual-singing, choir, no distancing... and people keep saying how wonderful it is that we can worship so safely! God has been merciful, and we live in a highly vaccinated county and state, but the practices are not safe practices!! I would like to send the church a letter expressing my concerns and include some resources to help make my point that while we have not had an outbreak, that is God's grace and not due to our practices! I know you have a lot on your plate, but are there any resources you can direct me to to help me pull together something to present to them? Any help you can give will be appreciated. Thank you!
I posted another blog after this one with links that might be helpful regarding masks, precautions, and vaccines for churches. Hope that helps!
Thank you!! Grateful for all you do!
Thank you SO much Dr. Emily! For your work of goodness and love and your words of truth in difficulty. I would really love to have you over for a cup of tea to give you rest and lift you up in encouragement.
I don't know why christians have become so hostile. But, I would say it's not new news. In Ephesians, Paul prays for revelation and in Galatians he calls out blindness. Christians for all time have misunderstood and misconstrued faith and its dependent actions. I think for too long in the US christians have put too much emphasis on the personal relationship and forgotten the communal nature of God and His people. This I believe is the mystery Paul refers to, which is no mystery at all when we read the Old Testament through the eyes of Paul or listen clearly to Jesus' teachings of being with the Father and witnessing Jesus' community building. My prayer is like Paul's, that the church will have an apocalypse! And for myself, I pray I will be steadfast in mercy and discern good for the flourishing that God created me for.
I feel the first part of your post on Facebook so deeply. People who hold themselves out as Christians and treat people terribly. I have such deep conflict over it I’ve disassociated myself from the majority of those who call themselves Christians in the community that I live in:( and have done so for many years prior to the pandemic. The last two years have just made it worse.
Dr. Fauci said (pre-Omicron) that it would be okay to have a "normal" holiday with friends or family if everyone is fully vaccinated (including kids). Do you think that guidance should change? If we're planning to gather with 100% fully vaccinated family (adults all boosted, kids fully vaccinated), would you think an indoor, unmasked gathering of fewer than 20 people would be reasonable?
As long as noone is high risk. Omicron looks like it will have more breakthrough cases. I would also suggest doing rapid tests the day of.
Thank you - I think we've decided to scrap the family gathering. :( We do have some older people who are higher risk because of their age. But this helps me navigate some other things we're thinking about (like kid gatherings indoors, now that they are all vaccinated). As always, THANK YOU for everything you do and the time you spend helping everyone through. We appreciate you so much.
Ugh I’m sorry you had to cancel. But definitely understand. Thanks for the comment and encouragement too!
Hi! I had the j&j shot back in April and a Pfizer booster in October. Are people who had the j&j shot initially considered to be as “boosted” against Omicron as those with 3 mRNA shots? Should I be getting another Pfizer and/or are any studies following how protected those who initially got j&j are? Thanks!
Yes, J&J+booster is considered the same as mRNA(2 dose) + booster.
Great to know. Thank you so much!
My religious community has returned to their normal meal after services. Thoughts?
That's really risky. We know that indoor dining is risky, especially so with Omicron about to slam the US.