Page 34 - C.A.L.L. #46 - Summer 2020

support. The most recent addition is the Volunteer Action Group, especially formed to

coordinate and respond to those needing help with food shopping, picking up prescriptions,
going to medical appointments, etc. Under this group we set-up Neighborhood Reps who help
the flow of communication to and from our various housing clusters so that we can be aware
of how each person is fairing during this time of self-isolation and distancing. And, it must be
noted that our Town Criers, making their rounds to each neighborhood, keep everyone
entertained by performing (at a safe distance) current official information while sharing
their signature message, ‘Let’s be infected by Love!’

Our community holds governance lightly, yet respectfully, through collective representation.
When the impact of this pandemic became clearer the COVID Action Group was formed,

bringing together community members who lead membership-based organizations or hold
specific expertise, for weekly discussions and the forming of task groups as needed. One of
the initiatives is a COVID Tracking App designed to help us to map the location of anyone
within our community experiencing symptoms and to monitor their recovery. Any concerns
requiring more in-depth consideration are taken to the Collaboration Circle, which is
composed of representatives from a selection of major community organisations. This valued
group was formed approximately 4 years ago as part of our Community Change Process, and
holds the remit to oversee community-wide topics and issues.

We believe that the COVID
dictates of physical-distancing
are understandable and

(temporarily) acceptable to the
community, but social-distancing
can feel a real challenge,
particularly while living in a
community that normally guarantees lots of personal contact. In response, we are embracing
technology as a way of staying connected. Everything from friendly chats, children’s
education, group gatherings, business meetings, and community meetings are being conducted
online. Morning Taizé, daily check-ins and meditations, weekly Zrunch and socials, and
monthly Whole Community Meditations, have all been revamped for Zoom (video
communications). And, a number of workshops and programs are generously being offered

online, at reduced rates or for free, during this time of staying-at-homeness.

For all of our communal infrastructure and responsiveness, the humanness of feeling
isolated, depressed or fearful under this mysterious, world-wide viral threat is very evident.
Whether living in a housing cluster, as a family, or on one’s own, a sense of aloneness and loss
of control over our daily lives and the future can take grip. Various initiatives are underway
to raise awareness and help ease such suffering, from providing personal befriending and
counseling to sharing public education information. While there have not been any confirmed
tested cases of COVID, a few of our members have been ill and are in various phases of
recovery. And some are grieving for ill or departed beloved family and friends. So, like
people everywhere, we live with unknown probabilities, being vigilant yet mindful of gaps in
our wellbeing.

34