The Church of God’s Response to COVID-19
The Church of God is actively carrying out the activities to respond to COVID-19 around the world. The church members thoroughly abide by the COVID-19 preventive measures in their respective countries, strengthening the virus prevention of each church and practicing social distancing. The church constantly supports their neighbors in various ways so that they can overcome the pandemic with God’s love.
The church encourages those who are suffering from financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering donations and daily necessities such as groceries. For the medical staff and essential workers, the church delivers COVID-19 prevention supplies, snacks, and letters of encouragement. The church also brings joy to families, neighbors, and communities by sharing videos online and holding the Happy Webinar and Flower Letter Campaign to support positive mental health.
In addition, the church is making every effort to protect the global environment, which has become more polluted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to solve the environmental problems caused by the rapid increase in the use of disposable items, the church carries out activities such as reducing plastic use campaigns and environmental cleanups.
Background and Purpose of the Activity
As the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, is prolonged, so are the aftereffects. The entire world fell into social, economic, and psychological shock due to the anxiety and fear of infection, difficulties in the medical and quarantine systems, unemployment, and other economic difficulties. As social distancing and non-face-to-face activities became a daily routine, people’s emotional isolation deepened. A new term called Corona Blue was formed which means depression caused by COVID-19, and another term called Corona Red which refers to anger beyond depression.
In order to respond to COVID-19, the Church of God Headquarters strengthened the preventive measures of churches around the world and actively cooperated with the pandemic prevention policies of each country by turning to online worship services and education for members.[1] In accordance with Christ’s teaching, “Be the salt and light of the world,”[2] the church carried out timely volunteer services and relief activities to take care of the members and their neighbors who were suffering from the pandemic.
Present Status of the Church of God’s Response to COVID-19
The Church of God’s response to COVID-19 is carried out throughout society, including support for medical staff and related workers for pandemic prevention, support for vulnerable groups and residents, support for relieving citizens’ emotional isolation, emergency relief, blood drives, and environmental cleanups. All the activities are carried out in strict accordance with the pandemic prevention regulations of each country.
Support for Vulnerable Groups and Schools
Due to the prolonged pandemic, the number of people experiencing financial difficulties such as unemployment and income reduction has increased significantly. Particularly, the suffering of vulnerable groups, such as senior citizens living alone, has increased, and it is even difficult for them to pay for fixed expenses such as hospital expenses and house rent.[3]
The Church of God provides donations, pandemic prevention supplies, and groceries to neighbors who are suffering from financial difficulties due to COVID-19. In Korea, the church donated a total of 230 million KRW to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. When there was a shortage of face masks in Daegu, which was declared a special disaster region, the church urgently donated 30,000 face masks.[4]
In Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Uganda, the church provided customized support for their neighbors in urgent need. In Venezuela, where the economic difficulty was severe due to prolonged social and political turmoil, the church members themselves walked five kilometers under the hot sun to deliver water to households suffering from water shortages for two months. The church in Quezon City in the Philippines comforted and encouraged quarantined residents by donating 500 kg of rice and 200 cans of food.
Government agencies and municipalities also have asked the Church of God to help. In Chile, an official from the Ministry of the Interior invited members from the Church of God to the presidential palace, expressed gratitude for their continued service, and requested support for poorer regions. At this request, the church donated groceries to quarantined households and more than 80 households in Aysen and Coyhaique. In San Bernardo, La Florida, Quilicura, San Miguel, Arica, Vina del Mar, and Talca, the church donated daily necessities, including groceries, in cooperation with various local governments. The residents of Puerto Williams, an island town close to Antarctica, delightedly said, “Thank you so much. We’ve never seen a church that even comes here to help us.”
The Church of God donated 1.2 million tugriks to the Bayangol District Office in Ulaanbaatar for the families of confirmed cases, and also donated 30 boxes of groceries to vulnerable groups within the district at the request of the district office. In Malaysia, at the request of Petaling Jaya City Council, 600 face masks and 150 hand sanitizers were donated for those vulnerable to the virus. In Cambodia, as the elementary, middle, and high schools which had been closed due to COVID-19 were opened again, the church donated 5,000 face masks and 1,100 hand sanitizers at the request of the government that worried about the spread of infection. Chhit Sokhon, Minister of Cults and Religions, who was entrusted with the supplies, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Church of God.
“ “The education system has also been greatly affected by COVID-19, and I’m deeply grateful for the support of coronavirus prevention equipment during this time. These activities are really necessary.” “ — Chhit Sokhon, Minister of Cults and Religions, Cambodia
The church in Hyderabad, India, provided bottled water and traditional tea for residents suffering from the heat at home due to a blockade amidst the heatwave, in consultation with local police stations. Two police stations presented certificates of appreciation to the church members for their consideration for the local community.[5][6]
The church in San Diego, CA, U.S. collaborated with a supermarket and donated enough canned foods to serve 1,500 people during the pandemic.[7]
Support for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers and medical staff, who served at the forefront of the Covid-19 response, were the busiest during the pandemic, taking care of patients at risk of being exposed, and striving to manage facilities to prevent the spread of the infection. They sometimes suffered burnout because of their hard work and dedication.[8]
ASEZ, University Student Volunteer Group, and ASEZ WAO, Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, of the Church of God supported healthcare workers who combat COVID-19 and cure patients, such as medical staff and officials from government agencies, local governments, police stations, and fire stations, through the Heart-to-Heart Project and Cheer Up Campaign. The young adults visited hospitals, police stations, and fire stations in 150 countries, including U.S., U.K., Peru, Australia, India, and Korea, and delivered appreciation gifts that contained handwritten letters and snacks to express their gratitude. They delivered 40 gift sets that included face masks, hand sanitizers, snacks, and thank you letters, to two emergency patient transfer centers in Manchester, U.K. Sarah, one of the workers from the center, said, “Your activities make us feel that we are recognized. We love this job, but we had a difficult time for the past few months. Thank you so much for this meaningful activity.”
In the United States, where there were nearly 81 million confirmed cases by April 2022[9] the Church of God members provided COVID-19 prevention supplies to medical institutions, city halls, police stations, fire stations, and military bases. After delivering 1,000 face masks to Denver City Hall, they donated 1,000 more face masks for children upon request. They donated face masks, hand sanitizers, and sanitary supplies to a naval base in Honolulu, HI, the Arlington Fire Station, and the Volunteer Emergency Service in Syracuse, NY, and 250 handmade face masks to Inglewood Police Station. A police station official expressed his gratitude, saying, “You made every effort to protect the safety of the inmates as well as the police.” The church in Mongolia also donated 10,000 face masks, including 5,000 handmade face masks, to the Ministry of Health.[10]
In Brazil, where the highest number of confirmed cases occurred in South America,[9] the church donated 100 gift sets of snacks and handwritten letters to a hospital in Taguatinga, Brasilia, which was reported on the local broadcaster, RecordTV.
“ “The young people who made a surprise visit to almost every department in the hospital changed the day of the medical staff. This is more than just snacks. A word of comfort and consolation changed the lives of medical staff fighting the virus on the front lines.” “ — News on RecordTV
The church in New Delhi, India, donated 200 face masks and 200 hand sanitizers to the police station in Saket, a commercial district where there is a large floating population. The church in Pune, India, donated face masks and appreciation gifts to two police stations, and expressed their respect to the police officers, calling them “Heroes for Overcoming COVID-19.” Police inspector Yunus Shaikh of the Yerawada Police Station commented on the activities of the Church of God: “The church has done a great job of helping reduce the COVID-19 damage and control the death rate by distributing face masks to each house, promoting the use of hand sanitizers and hand washing. And I thank you very much for expressing your gratitude to the police officers.”[5]
Emergency Relief
Disasters such as typhoons, heavy snowfalls, and forest fires occur every year around the world, but the number of volunteers to support relief efforts has decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
Even amidst the on going pandemic, whenever a disaster occurred, the Church of God quickly carried out relief efforts, centering on nearby churches and observing the pandemic prevention guidelines. The church in Korea helped restore landslide areas, flooded houses, damaged livestock and crops caused by super typhoons such as Bavi, Maysak, and Haishen, and a long rain.[5][12] When heavy snow fell across Korea in the beginning of 2021, the church carried out emergency snow removal services in 230 regions nationwide, contributing to the safety of citizens, including children and the elderly, even when the temperature was -20°C [-4℉].[13][14]
When the library of the University of Cape Town in South Africa was burnt down by the fire on Table Mountain, one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, ASEZ local members participated in the library restoration work at the request of the university, searching for books and documents and moving them.[15] The church in the Philippines donated relief goods for 30,000 residents who fled to shelters due to a volcanic eruption. The church in Tabasco, Mexico, also delivered groceries and necessities to the victims of heavy rain.[5]
As the number of blood donors has decreased sharply due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global blood shortage is also a concern. In 2022, the American Red Cross declared the nation’s blood crisis for the first time, proclaiming the worst blood shortage in ten years.[16]
The Church of God helped the blood supply by carrying out the Blood Drives to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover, which has been steadily held, even during the pandemic. The 1,000th blood drive was held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on June 20, 2021, which was praised as an event that gave a special gift of life in difficult times.[17]
Online Activities to Relieve Emotional Isolation
COVID-19 not only threatened human life but also brought emotional pain such as anxiety, depression, and isolation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S., 10.8% of American adults experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression in 2019,[18] but in February 2021, after the COVID-19 outbreak, it quadrupled to 41.5%.[19]
The Church of God hosts various online programs to communicate and share love with families and neighbors.
The "Happy Seminar for Workers," which was held to relieve the stress of workers and to soothe their exhausted minds, is now performed online under the title, “Happy Webinar for Workers.” More than 23,000 people participated in the webinar, which has been held four times so far, to share empathy and bring comfort.[20]
The Church of God Media Cast provides videos that comfort, heal, and calm the mind, moving the hearts of viewers. The content is very diverse: "Stars in the Desert" which includes meditation videos with music, "Exhibition ON" which features national tour exhibitions, “ 'Our Mother' Writing and Photo Exhibition" and “Father’s True Heart” Exhibition, New Song instrumental music, cartoons, sermon videos about family love, character education videos for children and students, and many more. Many viewers share these videos with their families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
The Flower Letter Campaign has also become a medium of communication and harmony, which allows users to express their feelings that were not usually expressed to their loved ones, including family members. On the Flower Letter website, you can write and send a message after choosing your desired flower. More than 740,000 flower letters were sent since the start in December 2020 as of April 2022.
Environmental Cleanup and Reducing Plastic Use
The use of disposable items, including face masks, has increased due to the spread of COVID-19, raising concerns about environmental pollution. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, plastic waste worldwide has increased by more than 8.4 million metric tons globally in about a year and a half.[21]
The Church of God is spreading the global environmental cleanup campaign, which was implemented to protect the environment. In particular, ASEZ WAO, the Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, is working hard to raise awareness about plastic pollution and reduce waste by carrying out the "No More GPGP" (reducing plastic use) project. In the winter of 2020, they collected about 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of waste at the Anacostia River around Kenilworth Park in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. In Brisbane, Australia, they carried out cleanup activities around Kookaburra Park and Oxley Creek in cooperation with City Hall. By October 2021, 36,948 people from 33 countries, including Brazil, India, the Philippines, South Africa, Peru, Taiwan, the U.S., Greece, New Zealand, Uganda, and Korea participated in the "No More GPGP" project and collected 140 metric tons of plastic waste.[5] The "No More GPGP" project was also introduced during the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit hosted by the Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received attention from various agencies.[22]
References
- ↑ "Church of God COVID-19 Prevention Video". Church of God Media. August 19, 2020.
- ↑ "Matthew 5:13–14".
- ↑ Kim Parker et al., "Economic Fallout From COVID-19 Continues To Hit Lower-Income Americans the Hardest," Pew Research Center, Sept. 24. 2020.
- ↑ "Church of God donates $160,000 for COVID-19 response". The Korea Times. March 22, 2020.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Warm Support to Overcome COVID-19, Making Brighter Future in Global Community". Woman DongA. February 1, 2021.
- ↑ "Church of God Helps All Countries of the World". Ilgan. July 2, 2020.
- ↑ "The "Essence of Love," Embracing with Respect and Consideration, Church of God Becomes a Resting Place for Neighbors and Society". Weekly DongA. July 22, 2021.
- ↑ Yeonhoon Jang et al., “Burnout and peritraumatic distress of healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic,” BMC Public Health, Nov. 12. 2021.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Coronavirus (COVID-19), Google News
- ↑ "Church of God's Active Support for COVID-19 Masks Across Korea". The DongA Ilbo. July 9, 2020.
- ↑ "Volunteering and coronavirus: When helping people could mean putting them at risk". The Washington Post. March 17, 2020.
- ↑ "Church of God Roll Up Their Sleeves to Recover Flood Damage Encouraging the Flood Victims". Monthly Chosun. August 18, 2020.
- ↑ "Taking the Lead for Safe Neighborhood in Places Like Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Jeolla, and Chungcheong Province". Aju News. January 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Church of God "Global Supporters" Cheering Up for Overcoming Global Disasters and Human Happiness". Sports DongA. July 27, 2021.
- ↑ "The Church of God University Student Volunteer Group, ASEZ, Take Part in the Wildfire Recovery Efforts in Rep. of South Africa". WATV.org. April 29, 2021.
- ↑ “Red Cross: National blood crisis may put patients at risk,” American Red Cross, Jan. 11. 2022.
- ↑ "Church of God Runs Over 1000 Worldwide Blood Drives for 15 years". Monthly Chosun. July 12, 2021.
- ↑ "Estimates of Mental Health Symptomatology, by Month of Interview: United States, National Health Interview Survey, March 2019
- ↑ Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2, 2021
- ↑ "The Church of God Holds 'Happy Webinar for Workers', Conveying Hope and Comfort Over the Screen". WATV.org.
- ↑ Plastic waste release caused by COVID-19 and its fate in the global ocean, November 8, 2021, PNAS
- ↑ "[Religious Topic] Church of God Young Adults Call Themselves as "Enivronmental Evangelists" with Confidence". Monthly JoongAng. June 17, 2021.