Need to Talk? Send me an email at mevans@myrwc.org, and leave me your phone number. I’ll return your call ASAP.
By Mark Evans-Director of Pastoral Care and Senior Ministries.
During these uncertain times, it’s easy to allow worry, anxiety and outright fear to take root in our lives. You may feel plagued by the isolation, loneliness and lack of support that has become a feature of daily life for so many of us – even for those with a strong faith Christ. We’ve not experienced anything quite like the Covid-19 pandemic before. It’s an experience with an unknown end date from our human perspective. Isn’t it good to know that God does have this completely under His control?
The knowledge that God’s “got this” is comforting, but He has also given us opportunities to care for ourselves that will help us find and maintain balance in physically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally. Doing so will help us to remain productive, hopeful, and full of gratitude during and after the crisis.
Here are some simple tips you might consider including in your personal self-care routine:
- Establish and maintain a daily schedule
- Eat well – beware the “quarantine fifteen” (the extra weight that can result from poor nutrition and inadequate physical activity)
- Move – too much couch sitting is not good for anyone! Take a walk, jump rope, throw a ball, shoot some hoops, or participate in an online exercise regimen
- Connect with family and friends – technology can be your friend, but so can handwriting personal notes, mailing a funny card of encouragement, etc. BE creative!
- Begin or maintain a lifestyle of worship by setting aside time daily for prayer, devotions, and worship music. Pastor Paul Johnson has made this easy by writing and sending out daily devotions by email. Our worship services are life streamed and available on this website each week. You’ll also find a variety of other resources to help you in your devotional life on the site.
- Focus on others – what simple thing can you do today to bring someone else joy?
- Live with gratitude for all that God has done for you, the beauty of spring and evidence of new life all around us, your health, family, friends, home – just open your eyes and look around.
- Get adequate sleep – that amount needed may vary from person to person due to age, health, and other factors, but in general, adults should try for 7-9 hours per night.
Think of this time as an opportunity to try a new hobby, build a new skill, read a book you’ve had sitting on your bedside table, or complete a long delayed household project. God will not waste this experience in your life if you are open to seeing what He has for you during this time. You can thrive and grow.
If you find you are not coping well, are suffering significant depression, of have thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to us here at Ridgewood Church. We are here to pray for you, encourage you, and provide you with other resources that you might need.
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” (Isaiah 41:10, The Message)
Resources During Covid-19
Need to Talk? Send me an email at mevans@myrwc.org, and leave me your phone number. I’ll return your call ASAP.
By Mark Evans-Director of Pastoral Care and Senior Ministries.
During these uncertain times, it’s easy to allow worry, anxiety and outright fear to take root in our lives. You may feel plagued by the isolation, loneliness and lack of support that has become a feature of daily life for so many of us – even for those with a strong faith Christ. We’ve not experienced anything quite like the Covid-19 pandemic before. It’s an experience with an unknown end date from our human perspective. Isn’t it good to know that God does have this completely under His control?
The knowledge that God’s “got this” is comforting, but He has also given us opportunities to care for ourselves that will help us find and maintain balance in physically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally. Doing so will help us to remain productive, hopeful, and full of gratitude during and after the crisis.
Here are some simple tips you might consider including in your personal self-care routine:
- Establish and maintain a daily schedule
- Eat well – beware the “quarantine fifteen” (the extra weight that can result from poor nutrition and inadequate physical activity)
- Move – too much couch sitting is not good for anyone! Take a walk, jump rope, throw a ball, shoot some hoops, or participate in an online exercise regimen
- Connect with family and friends – technology can be your friend, but so can handwriting personal notes, mailing a funny card of encouragement, etc. BE creative!
- Begin or maintain a lifestyle of worship by setting aside time daily for prayer, devotions, and worship music. Pastor Paul Johnson has made this easy by writing and sending out daily devotions by email. Our worship services are life streamed and available on this website each week. You’ll also find a variety of other resources to help you in your devotional life on the site.
- Focus on others – what simple thing can you do today to bring someone else joy?
- Live with gratitude for all that God has done for you, the beauty of spring and evidence of new life all around us, your health, family, friends, home – just open your eyes and look around.
- Get adequate sleep – that amount needed may vary from person to person due to age, health, and other factors, but in general, adults should try for 7-9 hours per night.
Think of this time as an opportunity to try a new hobby, build a new skill, read a book you’ve had sitting on your bedside table, or complete a long delayed household project. God will not waste this experience in your life if you are open to seeing what He has for you during this time. You can thrive and grow.
If you find you are not coping well, are suffering significant depression, of have thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to us here at Ridgewood Church. We are here to pray for you, encourage you, and provide you with other resources that you might need.
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” (Isaiah 41:10, The Message)
Resources During Covid-19
Caring For Our Community During Covid-19
Many of us have a sense of helplessness right now. We see the needs around us and long to help, but where do we start? The following are just a few of the ways you may be able to give back and serve our broader community during this unprecedented time in our lives. Opportunities abound!
- ICA Food Shelf
ICA serves our neighbors in Hopkins, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Shorewood, Deephaven, Greenwood, and Woodland. ICA is currently asking people to donate financially. With your $1 donation, they are able to purchase up to $10 of food from food banks. And the less hands that touch food right now, the better! To donate, go to https://www.icafoodshelf.org/ - Memorial Blood Center
Covid-19 has caused the cancellation of a number of blood drives, but the need has never been greater! Emergency surgeries, cardiac procedures, and cancer treatments continue even in the face of Covid-19. Giving blood is safe, and additional precautions are being taken to protect the safety and health of both donors and Blood Bank Staff. To learn more and to schedule a donation appointment, go to https://www.mbc.org/donate-blood/ - Salvation Army
Covid-19 is stretching the Salvation Army beyond capacity. Here are some tangible ways you can get involved and make an immediate impact:1. Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to serve by distributing bag lunches, packing food boxes, grocery shopping for adults at risk, and sanitizing facilities. Those at home with loved ones can sew masks or write uplifting cards to isolated older adults.2. Donate critically needed items: Nonperishable food, paper products, diapers, baby wipes, and hand sanitizers are in desperately low supply. If you have items to spare, we would be very grateful.3. Financial donations: Salvation Army currently has a donor match of up to $500, 000. Consider giving a gift of any size. https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give4. Share the need: Spread positivity by sharing the good the Salvation Army is doing in the community. Be sure to like, comment, share, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Many of us have a sense of helplessness right now. We see the needs around us and long to help, but where do we start? The following are just a few of the ways you may be able to give back and serve our broader community during this unprecedented time in our lives. Opportunities abound!
- ICA Food Shelf
ICA serves our neighbors in Hopkins, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Shorewood, Deephaven, Greenwood, and Woodland. ICA is currently asking people to donate financially. With your $1 donation, they are able to purchase up to $10 of food from food banks. And the less hands that touch food right now, the better! To donate, go to https://www.icafoodshelf.org/ - Memorial Blood Center
Covid-19 has caused the cancellation of a number of blood drives, but the need has never been greater! Emergency surgeries, cardiac procedures, and cancer treatments continue even in the face of Covid-19. Giving blood is safe, and additional precautions are being taken to protect the safety and health of both donors and Blood Bank Staff. To learn more and to schedule a donation appointment, go to https://www.mbc.org/donate-blood/ - Salvation Army
Covid-19 is stretching the Salvation Army beyond capacity. Here are some tangible ways you can get involved and make an immediate impact:1. Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to serve by distributing bag lunches, packing food boxes, grocery shopping for adults at risk, and sanitizing facilities. Those at home with loved ones can sew masks or write uplifting cards to isolated older adults.2. Donate critically needed items: Nonperishable food, paper products, diapers, baby wipes, and hand sanitizers are in desperately low supply. If you have items to spare, we would be very grateful.3. Financial donations: Salvation Army currently has a donor match of up to $500, 000. Consider giving a gift of any size. https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give4. Share the need: Spread positivity by sharing the good the Salvation Army is doing in the community. Be sure to like, comment, share, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
