Today, I am distracted. The news I am reading about what is happening in some of our skilled nursing communities is heartbreaking. I have spent almost 13 years visiting skilled nursing communities, singing in skilled nursing, praying, serving Communion, laughing, and sometimes weeping, all in the course of a single day. I am missing those I serve and those I serve with. SpiritCare has some of the most loyal, attentive volunteers that any ministry or 501c3 could hope for.
Of course, serving these communities sometimes does have its difficulties, but I have always felt a sacred presence among the residents. Yes, in some communities the staff turnover is high. It is not easy work and many employees are underpaid. Yet, there are those I have seen every month for years, and my heart goes out to those who are impacted by this virus, and the prayer requests I have received.
I have read more than one letter to the editor and seen more than one protest sign announcing that we should just let the old and frail die so everyone else can go about their lives. However, we cannot let a callous few destabilize our intentions. We may not be able to visit these communities in person, but we are reaching out in a variety of ways to let people know that they do not live and work in vain, and that even when facing something as silent and mysterious as this pandemic, God is right there with them. So are our prayers, our emails, our love.
The reactions of ageism, selfishness, and anger that we are witnessing right now are rooted in fear. However, we have always been called to face fear with love. Love is what SpiritCare has always brought to the communities, and love is what we will continue to bring. Maybe in different ways right now, but we are still reaching out because that is what the ministry has done for over thirty years.
Our gratitude to those who are contacting the ministry with offers of masks, prayers, and friendship. Fear-filled times can bring out the worst in us, or the best. Fortunately, we are seeing more of the latter. Let us keep going.
In Gratitude,
Rev. Sue Ann
If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.
1 John 4:12b
photograph: last day in April, 2020, San Leandro
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