A letter from our All Ireland Indoor Member Contact – May
May, 2020
Dear Diocesan IMCs,
Little did I realise when I wrote to you at the start of the lockdown that many of us would be self-isolating, cocooning. We, in a sense are all Indoor Members at the present time because of the restrictions imposed as a result of this pandemic.
Did you find the material I forwarded before Easter useful? Some dioceses forwarded it to branches and some Branch Leaders adapted my letter and sent the material to their members by e-mail or post. During the past few weeks, I have realised that there many MU members living on their own and finding that they are very lonely. They find Sundays particularly long and miss going to church.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has set up a 24-hour free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers called Daily HOPE Tel: 0800 804 8044. If ringing from R of I take off first 0 and use code 0044 and note that this may not be a free call from the Republic of Ireland. Please let members know about this phone line especially those who do not have access to the internet.
There are many MU members involved in projects to help staff and patients in hospitals. Some are making scrubs; others are knitting little hearts which can be given to a patient and their relative. These hearts can also be given to those in residential care as visitors are not allowed at the moment. Why not give one to a member who is self-isolating/cocooning to let them know that we are thinking about them? The pattern I have attached is quite simple and can be completed fairly quickly. You may wish to enclose a scripture verse with the heart such as one of the following:
Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. Isaiah 41. V 10
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Lamentations 3 v 22
Do let me know what has been happening in your diocese as we continue in this lockdown so that we can share ideas.
Take care and keep safe,
Norma
The knitted hearts should be posted to a hospital [put two the same in a freezer type bag with the date, from whom they came etc] where they will be kept for 72 hours to reduce the risk of infection before being given to a Covid-19 patient and their relative.
A single knitted heart can be given to someone in residential care as visitors are not allowed at the moment. They can also be given to someone who is very lonely and possibly self-isolating to show them someone cares.
