“Turkeys and budgets and fire – Oh my!” Thoughts on COVID and the season ahead.

Unlike past peaks, where a few areas drove up case numbers, this time the virus has gripped nearly every corner of the country, including many areas that avoided surges of the past.

Coronavirus cases in the United States are surging toward their third peak in eight months. More than 70,000 new infections were recorded on Friday, the most in a single day since July, and the country recently surpassed eight million total cases.

The Pacific Northwest is ablaze. What is our calling? How can we help?

The Pacific Northwest is ablaze. What is our calling? How can we help?

Beginning with the issues of the Hammer and Dance congregations are now brought front and center into the conversation. Welcome!!

Another transition point comes and goes without any of the usual markers of normalcy.

COVID-19 may not seem like a traditional natural disaster.
However, there are psychological element effects of
COVID-19 that resemble the same thoughts, feelings, and driven behaviors as natural disasters. Depression and anxiety are common mental health issues that can affect anyone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime … They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat.” (Isaiah 65:20-22 NRSV)

This week we thank Dr. Pierre Morin and the staff of Lutheran Community Services Northwest in Portland for their on-going work with immigrants and refugees.