New Salutes and Notes from the COVID-19 Pandemic

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When the current isolation ends and we go back to worshiping together, there may still be concerns about physical contact. Some folks are opting now for “elbow bumps” instead of handshakes, but here are some other options to consider.

The Vulcan Salute: Non-Star Trek fans may not know it, but this greeting actually has an earthbound origin. It’s taken from a Jewish sacred hand sign that the late actor Leonard Nimoy, Mr. Spock himself, repurposed from his childhood. Raise the right hand and spread the fingers in two pairs, leave a “V” in the middle, with the thumb outstretched. Unfortunately, not everyone can make this sign (possibly genetic, like being able to roll your tongue), but it’s fun to try. The sign is usually accompanied by the greeting, “Live long and prosper,” to which a non-repetitive response is, “Peace and long life.”

Wakanda Forever: The science fiction comic book movie, “Black Panther,” not only gave African and African American folks a superhero, it created a salute, “Wakanda Forever.” Cross your arms over your chest in an X, right over left, and then break them apart. A cultural sensitivity: it can be awkward if white folks use “Wakanda Forever” indiscriminately, as it’s seen by some as a sign of Pan-African cultural solidarity. However, the salute also means “hug” in American Sign Language.

Namaste: This Hindu greeting has moved across cultures since so many Indians have traveled the world and many non-Hindus now practice yoga. The gesture is called Añjali Mudrā. Fold hands in an attitude of prayer, hold them at heart-level, and bow your head reverently toward another person. In Hinduism, it means "I bow to the divine in you," which is a way of honoring the image of God that we Christians believe exists in all persons. "Namaste" may also be spoken without the gesture, or the gesture may be performed wordlessly, according to Wikipedia.

Hand over heart: This gesture appears to have no cultural ties. It’s simply a way to express “heartfelt” feelings.

American Sign Language: The Deaf Ministry at Lovers Lane UMC in Dallas posted a short video on Facebook offering their version of “Peace be with you.”

If none of these appeal to you, you can simply wave and say “Hi!” That probably will work in most settings.

COVID-19 Snapshots

United Methodists continue to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis with innovation and vitality amid social distancing and isolation.

Deaconess Health Systems, Evansville, Ind.: This United Methodist-related hospital system set up a page on its website to show people how to make fabric masks because supplies have run short. The response was overwhelming to the point that Deaconess asked people to stop sending in masks because they were getting overstocked. Instead, the health system encouraged everyone to check with their local hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other providers to see if they could use fabric masks, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say are a crisis option. Get the pattern and watch the video. (And a hat trip to Facebook friend Marilyn Davis for bringing this to our attention!)

Iowa Annual Conference: Bishop Laurie Haller and Iowa conference cabinet will offer a video resource, "Caring Connections" each Wednesday around 2 p.m. CDT. The video will update Iowa United Methodist on what's going on in the midst of social distancing and isolation. On a less happy note, the Iowa Council on Finance and Administration is activating its contingency plan effective April 15. "All Conference boards, agencies, and departments are to cease spending as much as possible so that only priority operating items are paid such as mortgage and lease payments, utilities, insurance, salaries and benefits, and other expenses deemed necessary for business operations." A thrifty example for the rest of us; sign up for online giving if you haven't already.

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has decree that "all non-life-sustaining businesses" including churches must close by 8 p.m. March 20 as part of the effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. The conference held a video conference training via Zoom on March 19 to introduce techniques for livestreaming worship. The recorded training session is available. In addition, Eastern Pennsylvania has closed all four conference campus and cancelled all spring camping and retreat ministry events.

Reconciling Ministries Network: From RMN's newsletter: “During this time, RMN's staff is still hard at work. Business-related travel by RMN staff members by train, bus, or plane is suspended until further notice. Our remote staff as well as our personnel in the Chicago office will work from home. We encourage all meeting organizers to offer virtual options or to postpone meetings until late fall 2020. While we deeply value the work we do together, we are called at this time to honor the national imperative to flatten the curve by limiting physical contact and proximity.”

Bishop David A. Bard, Michigan: In a pastoral letter, “We can still be the church in the midst of crisis,” the bishop thanked and praised United Methodists for adapting quickly to the health crisis. “Michigan United Methodists, I am proud of you. When asked to suspend in-person gatherings, including worship, and instead find ways to worship and be the church, you put your creative best forward.  You were on YouTube and live-streams and Facebook Live and you video-taped worship.  Not all the technology worked as you may have hoped, but it was all beautiful.”

The Courier-Express, Pennsylvania: “... Several DuBois area United Methodist Church pastors will be undertaking ministry in a new way beginning this Sunday and in the coming weeks in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The pastors — John Emigh of DuBois First UMC, Corben Russell of Mt. Zion UMC, Brett Dinger of DuBois Lakeside UMC and Kendra Lovelace Balliet of Home Camp UMC, Luthersburg UMC and Salem UMC DuBois — will be joining together to broadcast Sunday services live from the DuBois Lakeside UMC. Starting this Sunday from 9:30-11:30 a.m., live streaming will be available at the website — DuBoisLakeside.org.”

Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, Greater Northwest Episcopal Area: In a pastoral letter, “Local Church Responses to COVID-19,” the bishop noted uncertainties around future worship services: “You want to know about Holy Week and Easter observances. I promised I’d let you know by Tuesday, March 24 whether I will extend, amend or lift the suspension of in-person worship in our churches. I will keep that promise. I hoped to have a decision today, but in consultation with other conference leaders and crisis response advisors, I am waiting to make a final decision. It is likely that I will extend the suspension of worship through at least Easter, April 12, 2020 and perhaps beyond, so be prepared for this possibility. We are planning to offer an online alternative to local worship on Easter in case in-person worship continues to be suspended.” The Greater Northwest Area includes Seattle, a hotbed of COVID-19.

A word from an expert: If you’re concerned that you’ve overreacted and disrupted your congregation’s life unnecessarily, take a look at these interactive simulations in a Washington Post article, “Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to ‘flatten the curve’” by Harry Stevens. There’s nothing like a good visual to drive home an important point.

What are you or your local congregation doing to maintain health and hope amid the COVID-19 crisis? Send your notes to United Methodist Insight.