Unmasking compassion

Jason Nicholson highlights the increased work of the Presbyterian Children’s Society through the pandemic.

Masks are intriguing objects and besides their current widespread use in curtailing the spread of coronavirus, they have been used by many people for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment since antiquity. Furthermore, whilst often used to conceal, perhaps this current global crisis has provided Presbyterians with a fresh and unique opportunity to take their ‘masks’ off and proudly display their instincts for compassion; for helping others in hard times.

The coronavirus crisis is not a crisis anyone would have wanted; or indeed one which we might argue we have been adequately prepared for. Nevertheless, through the ongoing work of the Presbyterian Children’s Society, it has presented another opportunity for Presbyterians to demonstrate that although we are a community of God’s people scattered throughout this island, we are united in our resolve to show practical care and compassion towards our children and our young people.

Serving others is central to our faith, and despite all the challenges that we are currently facing, it is vital that we continue this important work of getting alongside families in financial need. Applications to the Society for help have been steadily increasing in recent years and given the potential for lasting damage to our economy, many more Presbyterian families will require our help and support. Last year the Society helped approximately 900 children and 460 families with a regular grant. Demand

www.presbyterianchildrenssociety.org

for an exceptional grant, in circumstances where families have been experiencing the effects of furlough, or an increase in their expenses as a result of lengthy periods of home schooling, has also been increasing since the autumn.

Compassion for others, and especially for children, is not a new concept for Presbyterians and has been a distinguishing feature of our character as a people for centuries. We do, however, face some challenges.

Social [not relational] distancing

Whilst social distancing is necessary; relational distancing is not. The current crisis has provided an opportunity to strengthen relational bridges and deepen community links within our Presbyterian family, despite the real potential of the virus to create a social moat. We may be apart, but we are never alone. Church buildings may currently be closed, but we continue to gather online, whilst remaining deeply connected to each other within our Presbyterian community. Through the work of the Society, Presbyterians across Ireland have illustrated – through their persistent giving to the Society – an overwhelmingly strong instinct for supporting each other (when in crisis) in community.

Where crisis meets community

In responding to need within our community, the Society has been providing grants to help Presbyterian children and their families in challenging and difficult times for over 155 years. In ordinary circumstances where there is bereavement, separation or divorce, sickness, disability or single parenthood, life can be difficult. In these extraordinary times, with the growing potential for huge job losses, and a staggered economic recovery, despite the support from government and others, the work of the Society is proving all the more important as this global crisis continues to demonstrate the fragility of life. Everyone’s involvement in raising muchneeded funds for the Society to meet the increasing requests for help has never been more crucial.

Perhaps the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:26 highlight the challenge for us: “ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it…” The Bible never expounds what some might argue as the virtues of individualism; but it does espouse community or, as Helen Keller once said, “The welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all.”

Last year the Society helped approximately 900 children and 460 families with a regular grant.

…despite all the challenges that we are currently facing, it is vital that we continue this important work of getting alongside families in financial need.

Where giving meets need

When members of our Church support the work of the Society, they are showing their open-hearted and biblical concern for the welfare of others and embodying God’s generous and grace-fuelled approach to those in need within our community. We are all in need in different ways and money is only one measure of need. Therefore, giving a donation to the Society for the benefit of others within our Presbyterian community really is important. It represents our personal commitment to each other.

As well as our regular and exceptional grants, we are also about to launch a new scheme to support congregations in their practical ministry to children and young people, in partnership with PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness. This new scheme is targeted at helping support the educational, social, emotional and spiritual development of Presbyterian children and young people who may be struggling as a result of the

pandemic. Specifically, small grants may be provided to congregations to help support digital connectivity, purchasing suitable educational materials (to support home or blended learning) and providing for appropriate activities to encourage good mental health and wellbeing. This is a new and exciting development for the Society and should complement our existing grant provision. All of the Society’s grants should be viewed as tokens of grace, a recognition of our common humanity and our striving towards the equality of all within the Church. Giving to the Society helps ensure children have a better future, unhindered by financial constraints.

Last year Presbyterians provided donations and subscriptions to the Society of around £342,000. This year, with the lasting impact of the Covid crisis yet to be reckoned, the need for sustaining income to the Society to meet the growing demand, will be even greater.

Providing enough for everyone

In his second letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul challenged the church (both then and now) with these words:

“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time, your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’” (2 Corinthians 8:13–15)

Paul was never advocating that others’ hardship may be relieved while the Corinthians were hard pressed, but rather that there might be economic fairness among them. This is always the biblical ideal. Furthermore, reflecting on the provision of manna in the wilderness, Paul illustrates that God always provides enough to meet our need. Larger families gathered a lot, but not too much, for nothing was to be left over. Smaller families gathered little, but not too little, for they had no lack.

God’s challenge to us in these difficult days is clear: we should allow our hearts to regulate our hands. Please continue giving to the Society to support Presbyterian families in financial need – together we can give children a better future!

Jason Nicholson is executive secretary of the Presbyterian Children’s Society.