An unprecedented situation requires extraordinary responses. The Central and state governments have responded. There are criticisms about how it was done. Nevertheless concerns relating to how the lockdown has affected the poor and the migrants among us arebeing looked into as and when the situation arises.

Churches and Christian institutions in many locales have responded spontaneously by providing, food, infrastructure and personnel; all along with maintaining regular pastoral care and spiritual guidance during these difficult times. Our medical fraternity have been in the forefront. We support them with our prayers. Any concrete support to keep them going will be very useful.

We have been in touch with what is being done by the local congregations; and also connecting those in need with the local churches. We share here some of what our Churches and organisations, and their networks, have done in the initial days of the crackdown on Covid 19.

We will share more as and when we collect more stories.

Let us pray for each other and the whole world.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer

General Secretary, NCCI

Subject-Jesus Stills a Storm

Mark 4:35-41


On that day, when evening had come, he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

*

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

These are challenging times.
But we have been through challenging times before.
Indian Christians have been through challenging times, as have Christians from the time of Jesus until now.

As we all struggle to adapt our lives to this new reality of churches and schools being closed, quarantine, medical and economic difficulties, we are all finding ways not only to survive but to thrive.

One of the ways we will thrive is through caring for one another. We know that Scripture tells us “They will know we are Christians by our love.” (John 13:35) Indeed, this is not a time to turn inward but to look outward—even from our own homes—considering how we can care for one another. Calling our friends and family, praying for one another, sharing resources as we are able: this is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus, who shared His love with us all the way to the cross.

Another way we will thrive during this crisis is by looking to Jesus, our defender and our comforter. We have read how, when the disciples were weathering a terrible storm in Tiberias, Jesus was with them in the boat, though He was sleeping. The disciples worried that Jesus wasn’t doing anything about the situation, and therefore everything was on their shoulders.

But soon, Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’

Yes, these are hard times. But we have lived through hard times before. This storm, too, shall pass. We will not give up faith in God, and we will not give up on one another. Do not be afraid—God is with us.

I pray for each of you. I pray for your strength, for your health, for your faith, and for the church of Jesus Christ in our country and throughout the world.

May the peace of God keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

See the video message

The worst affected state is Maharashtra with 39 cases followed by Kerala where 25 cases were diagnosed. The first and second confirmatory tests are free for all Indians. India currently has 52 testing centers. The government is optimistic that this is enough as this capacity has only been 10% utilized. Experts believe that the testing protocol has created insufficient testing of only 3-4 persons per million giving rise to some complacency in putting together surge capacity.

Advisories have been issued by various ministries of health to prevent spread through social distancing. Schools, Colleges, Offices, and public spaces have been closed.

The government has also created a clinical protocol for hospitals to follow.

The reality on the field and advice on safety measures.

1. Put up notice boards in Hindi/local language - all patients with fever and recent- onset respiratory symptoms visit triaging station
2. Set up 2 triaging stations - one in general Out-patient Department and another in Antenatal Care
3. Triage station to be manned by a health assistant or nurse aid
4. A quick questionnaire-based assessment and risk felt, provide a regular medical
5. Provide self-protection and prevention information materials to all patients from OPD counters

mask for them in the waiting area and as they enter OPD counters

The rapid spread of the novel corona virus globally has sparked a wave of tension worldwide. As the outbreak continues, CASA is concerned about its impact on the most vulnerable communities of India. We are prepared and raising awareness in the far-flung regions of India to protect the health and security of the inhabitants, as well as of the staff members of CASA.

Situation update:

As of 26 March 2020 (10:15 AM), according to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), a total of 649 COVID-19 cases (602 Indians and 47 foreign nationals) have been reported in 26 states/union territories. These include 42 who have been cured/discharged, 1 who has migrated and 13 reported deaths. Hospital isolation of all confirmed cases, tracing and home quarantine of the contacts is ongoing.

How has CASA responded to the pandemic?

CASA has worked directly on the ground, as well as with partner organisations before the declaration of the lockdown.

Awareness & WASH :

• Regular social media updates, e-mailers, advisory on covid-19.
• Distributed IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials such as leaflets, posters and banners among the villagers in local language.
• Spreading awareness by providing accurate information where an individual is not deceived by fake news regarding covid-19.
• We have educated villagers to follow the precautionary measures in order to reduce the risk of infection.
• We have given demonstration on the correct method to wash hands and maintain personal hygiene.

March 23, 2020

The Executive Secretaries/ Director Baptist Associations under NBCC

Subject: CHURCH’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Dear Comrade in Christ,

Warm greetings from the NBCC Office, Kohima in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

COVID-19 does not appear to be ending soon. Chances are, before it goes away, it will hit even closer to home. In view of this the government has initiated partial lock-down but it may soon resort to total lock-down. Lock-down is not a punishment but an enforcement aimed towards the well-being of us all. The pandemic has caused us to think about the things we take for granted and to rethink about how best we can respond as a church. We hope that through the exercise of preparing to organize ourselves for the Pandemic we will in turn strengthen the vision and mission of the Church.

For the time being the best way of protecting ourselves and others from the spread of the virus is still for everyone to maintain good hygiene and social-distancing. So, it will be most helpful at this juncture to discourage any form of mass gathering, whether on Sundays or other weekdays, but make alternative arrangement for worship or special events. A good example was live streaming of worship program arranged in some churches yesterday (Sunday). Certainly, this pandemic will not last but its gravity will depend on how fast we respond. Let us do away with the mindset that churches are closed down, because the church is not shut, it will never be shut because it is not the building, but the believers in Christ. The Church ministry must be strengthened by way of reaching out and by doing what is best for the community.

GENEVA (WCC NEWS) / CHIANG MAI (CCA NEWS): In a historic joint pastoral statement released on 26 March 2020, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Regional Ecumenical Organizations (REOs) including the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) affirmed the urgency of standing together to protect life amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first time ever, all regions in the ecumenical movement around the world are standing together with a common message that urges both prayers and action for one world to protect life.

The text of the statement was prepared, discussed, and adopted by the General Secretaries during two virtual meetings facilitated by the WCC General Secretary, in which all REO General Secretaries participated irrespective of their physical location around the world.

“We urge people everywhere to give highest priority to addressing this situation and assisting in whatever ways we can in our collective efforts to protect life,” reads the statement issued by the General Secretaries.

For the sake of God’s love, “it is important and urgent that we adapt our modes of worship and fellowship to the needs of this time of pandemic infection, in order to avoid the risk of becoming sources of viral transmission rather than means of grace,” stated the global ecumenical leaders.

The ecumenical leaders recalled that ‘our faith in the God of life compels us to protect life’, and continued, “Let us manifest God’s unconditional love in safe, practical ways that protect life, alleviate suffering, and ensure that churches and public services do not become hubs of transmission of the virus.”

The General Secretaries of the global and regional ecumenical organisations affirmed that physical distancing did not mean spiritual isolation, and they urged churches all over the world to review their role in society by safely ministering to, providing for, and caring for the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and the aged – especially all those who are most at risk due to COVID-19.

Kerala Christian Council (KCC) welcomes the measures taken by the Centre and the State Governments to defend the corona spread.  KCC appreciated the government for closing the liquor shops and requested to take measures with the support of de- addiction centres to face the issues of those with withdrawal symptoms. Appreciated the member churches for supporting the government by giving the buildings for the treatment. The local youth fellowships of the churches to function as centres of support. This Sunday will be observed as a day of prayer for deliverance.

“ if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”

- Isaiah 58:10

Pandemic! That sounds worse in every way. In reality, the term describes not a disease itself but how extensive and prevalent the appearance of the disease is geographically. In our current situation of the spread of the corona virus (COVID-19), the World Health Organization has declared this disease to be a global pandemic. There is no location that provides immunity. This is the factor of anxiety and chaos for all.

The plague, pestilence; such terms not only imply a disease with deadly consequences, but a disease that is mysterious, unknown, and without human control. The church has always been aware about such situations because of the Scripture. Knowing is different from facing in reality.

The approach of the Church of North India has been both spiritual and practical in the midst of the present Pandemic.

The rapid spread of the novel corona virus globally has sparked a wave of tension worldwide. As the outbreak continues, CSI is concerned about its impact on the most vulnerable communities of India.

As of 29th March 2020 (10:15 AM), according to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), a total of 1053 COVID-19 cases have been reported in 26 states/union territories. These include 86 who have been cured/discharged, 1 who has migrated and 27 reported deaths. Hospital isolation of all confirmed cases, tracing and home quarantine of the contacts is ongoing all over.

National Council of Churches in India