Uncertainty in the Workplace-Revd Dr Jenny McKay Normally, in my April update, I would be calling this article “Springtime in the Workplace”. However, as I write this piece, Spring seems far away, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is a daily evolving concern for all of us. Practically, in my workplace, we are remote working where possible, and those of us who manage laboratory activities, put in brief appearances only. Increased cleanings, ever changing visitor guidelines and local social distancing keeps staff as safe as possible and, to date, there has been no confirmed case of COVID-19 in any worldwide facility. The mind boggles as to what may happen though: will veterinary samples keep coming in; if not, what will happen to current staff? Will there be temporary staff layoffs and what will the impact of any one site being closed have on the business globally? No-one could have foreseen such an event, and all of us will be severely impacted in the weeks ahead. Despite some of the scientific questions I’ve received such as “Why did your God invent viruses to kill us?” the major challenge seems to be how to live with uncertainty. People are overwhelmed, sometimes to the point of paralysing depression and anxiety, and future planning is out the window. No-one knows what the next steps will be, although we do know there will be extensive self-isolation, particularly for the older members of society. Society will change in ways unheard of in a generation. We must rally together and help those in need. The Archbishop of Canterbury recently said that helping others and remaining focused on a task is one way to stop oneself from being paralysed by uncertainty. Is there someone we can call on phone or on Skype? Can we donate to local Foodbanks? Can we pick up prescriptions for neighbours? Be assured that your greatest gift at the moment is to be there for others. The beauty of the current social media is that we can use it for much good, and keep in regular communication with those who are alone or self-isolating. Incidentally, in answer to the question about viruses, I can only say that viruses are a natural part of creation, and without them we couldn’t have had some of the ground-breaking medical developments in genetic treatments and in controlling bacterial populations. Unfortunately, a side effect of this is, that a small proportion will cause human disease!Now is a time to turn the world around, to bring people together, to help each other, and for all of us to work together to minimise the suffering of others. The people of the world have become complacent and, perhaps, such a catastrophic event will serve, if nothing else, to stop us in our tracks, and provoke us to re-examine what values are crucial to the building of a warm, caring, inclusive society, all values which Jesus himself demonstrated in his daily life. We must take on this crisis, face it with hope and faith and lean on the words of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”.Blessings to you all,Jenny
At the time of writing, and with the country’s lockdown having been extended for a further three weeks till 7th May, it clearly won’t be possible to come together, in Church, or in the community, to celebrate and give thanks for VE Day on 8th May. This is a great shame of course, but what we’ve begun to learn from this unprecedented time (did you know, for example, that the last time Easter Services were “suspended” was in 1213, under King John!) is that with imagination and creativity (both human and technological) there are still so many ways in which we can all come together. This ranges from the communal joining together of hands every Thursday evening, for NHS, Social Care and key workers, to the recording of Services for Facebook and the live-streaming of Services, as well as the use of whatsapp groups and video conferencing for keeping in touch and for meetings. Not to forget as well the wonderful and individual artistic talents of some members of our communities, whose NHS “rainbows” of thanks and hope adorn so many of our windows. There is much to give thanks for, especially in the quiet acts of helpfulness and kindness to those in need, even as we lament not being able to gather together, for services in Church and community events. In the fullness of time though I look forward greatly to a Service of Thanksgiving in Church and a “real” rather than a virtual party! During this month of May we celebrate two of the most important festivals in the Church – the Ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles at Pentecost: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” said Jesus to those first believers, and He says the same to us today, gathered as we will be in our homes rather than in church. And so, for the time being, as I said in my Easter sermon, and have touched on in some of the poems I’ve recently been inspired to write, we need to persevere and to look with hope to the future – for this marathon will come to an end!May God bless each one of us in this coming month.The Revd Alec Brown.
I had a moment this week where I behaved in a way I was completely ashamed of. I shouted at someone. The minute it happened, I was overwhelmed with guilt and hit with waves of self loathing. I spoke with someone who dealt with me with understanding and compassion which made me feel worse. I apologised to the person and to God. I know I am forgiven but it is taking me time to forgive myself.It really made me think of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus.Peter had really messed up. Despite his statements to the contrary, he had denied Jesus not once, but three times. He was not really any different to Judas with his betrayal. He, and most of the disciples had deserted Christ and had been hiding in a locked roomThey were living in hard and bewildering times and were afraid. They were not sure what was going on.When Jesus met with them, he did not berate them or shout, nor did he undertake any form of detailed debriefing sessions analysing where the disciples had gone wrong and how they could improve themselves.Instead he met them, where they were, made a fire, grilled fish and spoke to them with compassion.Each of us makes mistakes. Yet God meets us where we are.We are the broken and flawed people of God who he still works through, using our strengths but also our failings.Jesus loves us without bounds, forgives without reservation and forms us into something new.We are God’s. Nothing prevents him from coming to find us and loving us.I often lay awake …I would like to saying thinking deeply…but honestly just worrying.I hate that the places where people have gone to pray and be with God are closed. I know we can be with God anywhere but there is something different about church buildings that can be balm to our souls.I grieve that I can’t be with people.I am heartbroken when I learn that someone I have visited in a local care home has died and I could not be with him, to pray with him and just be there.I worry that people in our community feel unloved and undervalued because no one has phoned them….if that is any of you then please get in touch. You are loved and you are valued but we are operating in a way we have never done before.But I know that God is at work. We are hurtling towards Pentecost where we see the power of the Holy Spirit.So I pray that you will experience the joy of Easter and the excitement of Pentecost.I pray that you will stay well and stay safe.I pray that you will be palpably aware that you are loved by God and by usLove ChristinaPs you are incredibly loved by God.
At the time of writing, and with the country’s lockdown having been extended for a further three weeks till 7th May, it clearly won’t be possible to come together, in Church, or in the community, to celebrate and give thanks for VE Day on 8th May. This is a great shame of course, but what we’ve begun to learn from this unprecedented time (did you know, for example, that the last time Easter Services were “suspended” was in 1213, under King John!) is that with imagination and creativity (both human and technological) there are still so many ways in which we can all come together. This ranges from the communal joining together of hands every Thursday evening, for NHS, Social Care and key workers, to the recording of Services for Facebook and the live-streaming of Services, as well as the use of whatsapp groups and video conferencing for keeping in touch and for meetings. Not to forget as well the wonderful and individual artistic talents of some members of our communities, whose NHS “rainbows” of thanks and hope adorn so many of our windows. There is much to give thanks for, especially in the quiet acts of helpfulness and kindness to those in need, even as we lament not being able to gather together, for services in Church and community events. In the fullness of time though I look forward greatly to a Service of Thanksgiving in Church and a “real” rather than a virtual party! During this month of May we celebrate two of the most important festivals in the Church – the Ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles at Pentecost: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” said Jesus to those first believers, and He says the same to us today, gathered as we will be in our homes rather than in church. And so, for the time being, as I said in my Easter sermon, and have touched on in some of the poems I’ve recently been inspired to write, we need to persevere and to look with hope to the future – for this marathon will come to an end!May God bless each one of us in this coming month.The Revd Alec Brown.
