The Epidemic of Loneliness that is happening now to many in the church and around the world has been emerging for a while. As a novel coronavirus pandemic causes pain and grief around the globe with many stricken ill and dying of COVID-19, the church is called to step into the gap and stand with those experiencing the epidemic of loneliness, some perhaps for the first time in their lives. We invite you to listen and share these voices with your communities of faith. After doing so, respond as the people of God to connect with those seeking someone to walk alongside them to heal their loneliness.
In January of 2020 during its annual event, the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators recorded this segment as part of an upcoming video gift to its partner churches in 2021 when APCE celebrates its 50th anniversary. The video gift, Becoming Tomorrow’s Church Today, will feature four key elements for church leaders to explore and embrace as the Body of Christ to navigate these changing times: Connect, Enrich, Empower, Sustain.
The Epidemic of Loneliness is the first portion of the Connect session and APCE shares it with you now as you seek to do faithful, intentional ministry during the pandemic. We would love to hear how you are using this resource to connect with your people. Please let us know by adding your experience in the comments below.
The Epidemic of Loneliness features host Rodger Nishioka, Christian Educator, as he talks with Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and the Rev. Cindy Kohlman, Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Published by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE), Video Production by Good News TV (GNTV), 2020.