Letters to the editor (Aug. 12, 2020)

Church gatherings

Dear Churches,

I’m thankful we live in a country with religious freedom, but I’m surprised how many of you are choosing to gather during this pandemic.

The very community you are trying to reach has instituted precautionary measures for the well-being of our community, and yet you continue to open your doors to large crowds, with limited social distancing, and not all of you require masks. It feels like you are choosing to serve yourself instead of the surrounding community.

I want you to know your community is watching. We have noticed a handful of churches choosing not to meet and instead are trying to love their neighbors as I believe Jesus commanded. I’ve seen churches hold outdoor service projects on Sunday mornings instead of indoor gatherings, and other churches doing their services outside. It’s nice to see some churches make sacrifices to their normal get-togethers in order to actually care for the community they are trying to reach.

Just know that people are watching. And when the day comes for me to call upon a church, I’ll be calling upon the ones that actually want to serve the community.

Fund police

Here’s one raised glass to the Wichita City Council and city manager for showing both courage and foresight in planning an increased expenditure for policing in the budget-tight year ahead, while other cities seem to be following the shameful and dangerous path of reducing or even de-funding police activities.

It’s gratifying that the council and manager acknowledge that both Wichita police leadership and the officer corps are doing an outstanding job of protecting citizens, while increasing engagement into all areas of the community.

Well done, and thanks.

Lessons from Taiwan

Thirty-some years ago, my wife and I befriended a young couple from Taiwan. The husband was studying for an advanced degree at Wichita State, and my wife was teaching his wife English as a second language through our church.

When Emily’s (not her real name) parents came to visit from Taiwan, we entertained the family in our home for dinner. It was a memorable evening, and we became lifelong friends.

Emily recently told us that evening was a factor in their decision to stay in America. After college, they moved to a large southern city, became naturalized citizens, found high-level jobs in their fields, and raised a beautiful family.

We recently talked with Emily. Out of concern for her health and family, she has decided to retire early. The large company Emily worked for has had over 200 positive coronavirus cases among their employees, and many of the employees still did not wear masks at work or take the pandemic seriously.

Emily said she had been ridiculed for wearing a mask. She didn’t say so, but I suspect there have been racist references to the “Kung Flu” or “China virus.”

Taiwan has had just over 400 total coronavirus cases out of a population of 24 million. They have controlled the virus by wearing face masks, having good testing and contact tracing, and following their leaders’ recommendations.

Emily said this wasn’t the same America she has known. That broke our hearts. We can still recapture that America, but to do so will require a change in our leadership.