A Guide to Pastoral Care and Connection in a Time of Physical Distancing
During challenging times, we need one another more than ever. We are called to hold a hand, give a hug, and other human ways of physically reminding ourselves of our interconnection. But there are times, such as during a pandemic, that human touch needs to be limited.
Physical isolation doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Here is a collection of resources to help your members and friends feel connected and cared for.
Contents
-
Stay Away and Connect
Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe
From LeaderLabIf you are a leader or have a strong following, you have great power in this situation to help people navigate it with grace. Using what we know about neurobiology and trauma, here are some pro-tips from a professional in the field of helping communities navigate great change and challenge.
-
Pacing Ourselves in a Pandemic
Cecilia Kingman
From LeaderLabRev. Cecilia Kingman, minister for Faith and Justice at the Edmonds UU Congregation in Edmonds, Washington, reminds us to pace ourselves. This is going to be a long haul, and there is much loss and grieving to come in most of our communities.
-
Healthcare Is a Wild, Grief-Filled Ride Right NowFrom LeaderLab
Emily McKinney, hospice chaplain and music director, shares the pastoral needs of health care providers during this time of coronavirus pandemic.
-
Simple Online Pastoral CareFrom LeaderLab
Physical distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Here are some creative ways to provide pastoral care in a time of physical distancing.
-
Creating Community Online
Jordinn Nelson Long
From LeaderLabCommunity, including intimate, deep, and spiritually supportive versions thereof, can be created and sustained in online spaces, including covenant groups, ritual, pastoral care, and community interactions.
-
How to Quickly Build a Lay Pastoral Care Network
Sarah Gibb Millspaugh
From LeaderLabThe COVID-19 pandemic has arrived, and you can barely keep up with the emotional, spiritual, and health needs of your community. Either you didn’t have a strong network of lay pastoral care in place before, or the core of your network is over 60 and self-isolating… Suddenly, you find you have to…
-
Reaching Out Safely
Beth Casebolt
From LeaderLabIn this time of Coronavirus we want to help each other and be supportive. Some of this requires at least being able to exchange stuff. But how to do it safely?
-
A Pastoral Note to One-Person Households in a Time of Physical Distancing
Evin Carvill Ziemer
From LeaderLabI’m thinking of so many Unitarian Universalists I know who live alone. I’m remembering the times I lived alone and really feeling a lot of compassion for everyone for whom “physical distancing” means being without the physical presence of other humans. I see you. I care about you. I love you. I…
-
Sample Questions for Potential Lay Pastoral Caregivers and Their References
Sarah Gibb Millspaugh
From LeaderLabWhen you’re building up a team of lay pastoral caregivers in your congregation, it’s important to ask good questions. Their answers will help you determine whether a prospective caregiver has the appropriate boundaries and skills for the role….
Get a print-friendly version of A Guide to Pastoral Care and Connection in a Time of Physical Distancing, including all sub-pages.