Do not be afraid.

Managing fear and anxiety continue to to be a major trend. As the situation develops from a notification stage to a sustaining phase, fear becomes contrasted with other values such as love, faith and generosity.

Let's try to live out of preparation and education, and not fear. Let's be the people God calls us to be. (Bishop Greg, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, 3/5/2020)

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another. (excerpt from "A Prayer for Coronavirus Healing," Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 3/8/2020) 

Everyone else? We are not to be fearful or be foolish. Ask God if you should come or not. Either answer is just fine with us. (New Hope Deaf Church, 3/6/2020)

God goes before you to lead you. God goes behind you to protect you. God goes beneath you to support you. God goes beside you to befriend you. Do not be afraid. And may the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you. Do not be afraid. Wash your hands. Amen. (modified blessing, Ashley Van Dragt, UW Graduate Christian Fellowship, 3/6/2020)

We hold to God's faithfulness and to the good courage God gives us to do what is right and good for our neighbors and the world. (Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Executive Team, 3/5/2020)

We are not fearful but we must be mindful since we gather many times a week to worship together, greet one another, eat food together and more. Much of what we do brings us into close contact with hundreds of other people and it's wise and good for use to take more precautions because of our size and frequency of gatherings. Being cautious is not fear - it's just responsible. Being careful does not lack faith - it's being mindful of other people around us. (Ben Dixon, Northwest Church)

Opportunity

More talk and acknowledgement about opportunities increase over time, but are noted at even the beginning stages of communication.

May this be an invitation to disconnect from the outside world by turning off all electronics for 24 hours, and by spending a little time in meditation and/or in the company of a good book. We all need to carve time to re-soul and be physically and emotionally restored.  (Rabbi Olivier, Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, 3/5/2020)

我們相信，如果我們依靠上帝賜予的智慧、保護、醫治與平安，我們的教會將在經歷這個艱難時刻中變得更加堅強。(Evangelical Chinese Church, 3/6/2020)

(Translation: Relying on wisdom, protection, healing, and peace from God, we believe that our church will become stronger through this difficult moment.)

Let's use this opportunity to comfort and love our neighbors through sharing supplies, loving messages, help, and wisdom. (Kalos Church 3/7/2020)

As I was in prayer, the Holy Spirit reminded me that times of trouble are actually opportunities for Him to do a mighty work. [...] Even in our present day, we continue to see how God takes our troubles and uses them as opportunities for his work. (Pastor Eric Noh, New Life, 3/6/2020)

Let's not step back. Let's step forward during these times. Let's find ways to make this a real win. (Pastor Rob, Bethany Christian Assembly, 3/11/2020)

Process as Geography

The metaphor of a journey simultaneously acknowledges challenges and progress. This metaphor becomes more explicit in the "wilderness" metaphor specified below.

Mountain: I want to reiterate how difficult it is from this vantage point to stay on top of everything, but how very much we are trying. (Bishop Greg, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, 3/5/2020)

Water: Follow the directions and help us stay afloat in this strange time. (Pastor Nik, Grove Church, 3/6/2020)

River: This early and proactive work will have positive results downstream. (Dean Thomason, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 3/3/2020)

Road: We're all in this together. It's a bumpy ride at times but it's worth it. We're not giving up. Which brings me to my final point for today... A bumpy ride is a mild description of 2,000 years of church history. That means we're in good company. (Pastor Nik, Grove Church, 3/9/2020)

Ocean: I want to encourage you during times like these that are kind of uncharted seas for us, unpredictable. We serve a great God. He's still in charge. (Pastor Rob, Bethany Christian Assembly, 3/11/2020)

Outbreak as Wilderness

The metaphor of a journey through the wilderness is particularly relevant for groups during the season of Lent and preparing for Passover. It highlights the values of community and working together.

As we cancel plans and hunker down, something about this communal, coronavirus-compelled self-quarantine feels oddly familiar. Here we are bamidbar (back in the wilderness), reliving a story from the Book of Numbers. We got through it then, and we will now, too. (Rabbi Paul Kipnes, Kol HaNeshamah, 3/17/2020)

The truth of this story [Exodus 17:1-7], on this day, in this time we find ourselves in, is to know again, that “wilderness” is often not a place, but instead a state of mind. In the midst of all we know as usual and normal and safe, we often can, and are, still in the “wilderness.” That is where we find ourselves now. And one of the greatest challenges in this time, of separation and isolation, is staying connected, and continuing to travel together. (Episcopal Diocese, Bishop Rickell, 3/15/2020)

Outbreak as Natural Disaster

The metaphor of natural disaster allows for the situation to be treated as an emergency response.

Earthquake: We have, sadly, become the epicenter of this event in the US for the moment. (Bishop Greg, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, 3/5/2020)

Storm: Washington state is at the leading edge of the outbreak in the U.S. (Dean Thomason, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 3/3/2020)

Combat/Battle

The metaphor of war rallies support for medical workers and recruits participation of communities in support measures.

We also, equally, want to be a resource and support for those dealing with this on the front lines. (Bishop Greg, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, 3/5/2020)

Central to the effort to combat the outbreak are proper handwashing, cough hygiene, disinfecting surfaces, and remaining home from work or school when sick. [...] However, with the escalating prevalence of Covid-19 infections in our region [...] (Dean Thomason, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 3/3/2020)

So as a Body, please pray for those who are older in our congregation, have health concerns, and for the doctors and other health professionals who are on the front lines of this outbreak. And lastly, there are widespread accounts of prejudice against Asian people because the virus originated in China - please pray against an unfounded spirit of fear and prejudice! (Rainier Avenue Church, 3/5/2020)

The Muslim Association of Puget Sound stands in solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus and their families, and the health workers who are trying to diagnose and treat patients. (MAPS, 3/1/2020)

Commonly Used Phrases

Two examples of specialized terminology used by health officials are taken up widely across groups and used in a variety of ways. These include "an abundance of caution" and "social distancing."

"an abundance of caution"

We realize that our temple is one of the locations where devotees congregate in large numbers during specific pooja ceremonies and festivals. Therefore, with an abundance of caution, we are taking the following actions to make sure that we are keeping the health and well-being of members of the congregation, devotees, employees, and visitors to HTCC temple facilities. (Dr. Mani Vadari, Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, 3/5/2020)

Out of an abundance of caution and respect for UW's decisions regarding student meetings, we'll resume meeting together when the spring quarter begins. (Ashley Van Dragt, Graduate Christian Fellowship, 3/6/2020)

The Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) is strongly committed to the health and safety of our congregation and the broader community. In light of that commitment, and out of an abundance of caution given the recommendations from King County Health and the State of Washington about the COVID-19 outbreak, we are cancelling jumuah (congregational prayer services) tomorrow, Friday, March 6, at MAPS, and we advise our congregants to pray dhuhr at home instead. (Hyder Ali, MAPS, 3/5/2020)

At this point two people are ill and there is no verification if they are ill with COVID-19, but out of an abundance of caution Emmanuel did close their school and today is having their facilities deep cleaned by CDC guidelines. (Bishop Greg, Episcopal Diocese, 3/5/2020)

"social distancing"

Social distancing - the virus spreads within 6 feet of a cough or sneeze. Try to avoid close contact during meetings. Avoid handshakes, hugs, etc. (This is hard for our church!) (Evangelical Chinese Church, 3/6/2020)

As one of our congregants who is a medical professional put it, King County is recommending "gentle social distancing without destroying the social fabric." (Rabbi Daniel Weiner, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, 3/5/2020)

In response to the spread of the COVID-19 disease, we are following the recommendations of King County Public Health Department. Plymouth Church Seattle is promoting and implementing social distancing, which has been proven to reduce and arrest the spread of viral illness. As a church, our median age is over 60, and our congregation is composed of vulnerable groups. We believe this abundance of caution is compassionate and gives us the opportunity to be community while promoting safety. (Rev. Dr. Kelle J. Brown, Plymouth Church, 3/5/2020)