Help during quarantine

This is Pastor Tim’s article which appeared in the Evening Leader on April 6, 2020

About 2 months ago, I was getting out of the Beetle and I managed to shut my finger in the door.  The door went all the way shut and latched.  I had somehow just caught the end of my middle finger in the door and it was stuck.  Of course, the door was locked and my key was in the same pocket as the finger that was pinched in the door.  I managed to fish the key out with my other hand, unlock the door, and release my finger.  It bled profusely for about an hour, but after a half a roll of paper towels and a trip to Rite Aid for band aids, the bleeding stopped.

Today, my middle finger on my right hand is darker than the rest of them.  I look for it to probably take the better part of a year to grow out.  It doesn’t hurt any more, but admittedly, it does look weird.  I doesn’t bother me but the mark is there for me to notice, which I often do.

Leaving a mark, that is what the end result of COVID-19 is going to be.  We are still working on sorting out all of the details, but what the end result of this is going to be remains to be seen.  I am writing this article on Wednesday, April 1.  By the time most of you read this, you will probably know more then than I know now.

But that is just details about the virus.  There are so many other smaller things that are going to be greatly affected.  I had a weird experience today for lunch.  I had a funeral this morning.  Afterward, I called JTs and ordered lunch.  When I called in my order, no one took my name.  15 minutes later, when I pulled up to the drive through, they brought my food, took my money and I drove away, all without telling them what I ordered.  I don’t order from JTs enough for them to know who I am.  The only way they could do that is if there was only one order that came in.

Businesses are really hurting right now and there is no relief in sight for them.  Anything you can do to help spur the local economy would be great.  Get some takeout for the good of the people who work there.  It is very important for us to preserve local small business because that is not only our tax base, but it also provides many jobs for our community.

Speaking of local businesses, thank you to my man Deepu Wayte (or DW as he is known to his friends) for his help.  He is the manager at Kroger and I have had to ask him multiple times for help with the senior citizen’s food distribution.  He is a Wayne Street attendee and I have had to lean on him a few times since this crisis started.  Between the Mission team here at Wayne Street and Kroger’s help, we have been able to stock the Senior Citizen’s food drive for these early weeks.  I am sure that process isn’t yet completed.

It breaks my heart that our local churches won’t be able to gather for worship on Easter.  This is supposed to be one of the most joyous times of the year and here we have gone a month without seeing each other.  I know many churches in town including Wayne Street are doing online services, and that is better than nothing, but nothing beats gathering for worship on Easter Sunday.  Our plan at Wayne Street is whatever Sunday is our first Sunday back after the quarantine will be Easter Sunday no matter when it is.  That is a celebration no one wants to miss!

Just like my dark fingernail, this is going to take a long time to grow out, much longer than the lifting of the quarantine.  The only way we will get through this is if we band together with a commitment to our community.

Please stay in and stay safe.  If you need anything, you can contact many of the agencies in town including Wayne Street and we will see about getting you the help you need.  Remember, it is always darkest right before the dawn.