"May we who are merely inconvenienced

Remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors

Remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home

Remember those who must choose between preserving their health

or making the rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close

Remember those who have no options.

May we who have to cancel our trips

Remember those that have no safe place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market

Remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home

Remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country,

Let us choose love.

During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,

Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors."

Last Friday, April 17, our community came together for a check-in call. We collaboratively shared our collective knowledge, words of support, and needs at this time.

This call was the first in a series of Sacred Conversations we will host. Whether you were able to join or not, we invite you to fill out this survey so we can better understand your needs as we continue planning this series.

UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media and Gillings School of Global Public Health are asking North Carolina residents to share their thoughts about messaging for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to hear your voice and to better communicate during this difficult time. Please use this link to participate.

For several weeks now Louisburg United Methodist Church (LUMC), in partnership with the Franklin County Interfaith Council, has been working to plan, clarify, organize and feed persons in the community who are in desperate need of food. 

Some efforts so far have included:

1. Supporting the local Department of Social Services through the Care and Share program,

2. Supporting St. Paul’s Presbyterian Soup Kitchen. (Since onsite feeding has been suspended they have set up a tent in the parking lot next to the church where people can drop off food and those who need the food can simply pick up what is there for distribution.) 

3. Supporting efforts of the Interfaith Council to partner with Green Hill Manor Living Community and provide residents with a bag lunch and notes of affirmation and appreciation. 

4. Supporting drivers for the Senior Citizens Center to deliver lunches.

5. Supporting the local Head Start program by preparing food boxes for designated Head Start families.

If you live in Franklin County and would like to volunteer or make a contribution, please contact the Rev. Dr. Mike Safley at msafley1950@gmail.com. 

We are grateful to LUMC for loving their neighbors by ensuring the well-being of everyone in their community. If your faith community is working on COVID-19 efforts, please email us at PHWinfo@ncchurches.org so we can lift up this important work.