By Pastor Craig Pederson

While our locations are on opposite sides of the globe, our experiences over the past several weeks are remarkably similar:

  • Some communities feel like they may be islands of respite from COVID-19, but then the first case is confirmed and they realize life is forever changed;
  • Travelers from one part of the country to another bring the likelihood of accelerated coronavirus transmission;
  • The closure of major businesses throws many out of work, disrupts supply chains, and causes increasing mobility as desperate workers seek employment elsewhere;
  • The possibility of a 14-day national lockdown to slow the spread of the virus causes a surge in demand for food, medicine, and personal items -– a surge driven by both prudent planning and panicked buying; 
  • Concerns about crime increase as food becomes more scarce in already disadvantaged communities;
  • Misinformation about the origins and transmission of the coronavirus adds to the anxiety and confusion of an already complex public health situation.

These are the conditions being experienced both here in our Minneapolis Area Synod and with our Global Companion partner half a world away, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN).  

My heart sank last week when I saw multiple news reports from northeastern Nigeria — where LCCN is primarily located — showing chaotic and sometimes violent scenes around hunger relief trucks that were being overrun by desperate residents who had depleted all of their food resources. 

“Archbishop Filibus and the bishops of the nine dioceses in the LCCN are seen as credible leaders in their communities.”

Then, just a few days later, Bishop Svennungsen received an email plea from LCCN Archbishop Musa Filibus requesting assistance from our synod in dealing with the rapidly increasing hunger situation. In part, Archbishop Filibus wrote:

By midnight Friday 24 April, the government is most likely to announce a national lockdown [NOTE: This lockdown did take effect}. This is extremely difficult because an estimated 60% or more struggle daily for their livelihoods and they cannot afford a 14-day lockdown. Hunger and COVID-19 lockdown cannot go together. We can see already that crime will increase — people have to eat to stay indoors. Already the Bishop of Abuja where the lockdown has been more intense tells us that people are now caught between COVID-19 and hunger. Many have no choice but to go out against the restrictions for their survival. 

While this is a clear Macedonian call for help (Acts 16:4-10), it should also be noted that the LCCN is far from helpless in the fight against the coronavirus. Archbishop Filibus and the bishops of the nine dioceses in the LCCN are seen as credible leaders in their communities. Filibus has posted public service announcements to explain and demystify how coronavirus works, and government officials have asked to broadcast his videos on television. LCCN will also launch an appeal to receive donations in anticipation of worsening hunger conditions in the coming weeks and months.

 

BUT OUR SIBLINGS in Christ have asked for help. The Minneapolis Area Synod Council is responding to Archbishop Filibus’ request by sending $35,000 from the synod’s Resurrection Fund to provide financial support for food assistance. This amount comes out of the “tithe” portion of the Resurrection Fund that is designated to support ministries outside of the boundaries of our synod. This is a tangible, timely action to live out the mantra we’ve been hearing about the coronavirus battle — that “we are all in this together.”

Anyone interested in contributing additional funds to this LCCN hunger relief effort may send a check to the Minneapolis Area Synod and designate it to “LCCN COVID-19 Relief.”

Meanwhile, we continue to reach out to the churches of our synod to listen, encourage, and respond to ministry needs and opportunities as we are able. We are in this together, in the unity of the Resurrected Christ who brings light and new life in dark and difficult places.