COVID-19: Dealing with a global pandemic, how we protect ourselves and others, and why MCC stands against all forms of anti-Asian hate, violence, and discrimination.

This is certainly an unprecedented time in ministry for everyone, including MCC. MCC has a history of being able to proactively deal with public health crises. For example, we were among the first and most vocal religious groups to respond with active and compassionate care to those infected and affected with the HIV virus – even before it had a name. Many of us have had memories reawakened from that time as we have had to deal with this new virus (COVID-19).

I’m blessed to be a part of MCC because everything about us resists this injustice and works to create a more equitable, just, and compassionate world.

Specifically, we have had to be mindful of the dangers of stigmatization that can occur. Some world leaders, for example, have referred to the coronavirus as a “Chinese” or “Asian” problem. The unfortunate result of that is that people of Asian descent have been targeted for increased discrimination and acts of violence (in speech and in physical acts). Recently, I have had the experience myself, as a Korean-American, of hearing people talk angrily and pejoratively about me while I was simply shopping at a hardware store for essential items.

The kind of hatred and shame that racial discrimination inflicts is harmful on so many levels, not only to the targets of these acts but to all of us. I’m blessed to be a part of MCC because everything about us resists this injustice and works to create a more equitable, just, and compassionate world.

ABOUT THIS MCC AUTHOR: Rev. Stedney Phillips currently serves as Lead Pastor of MCC Louisville, in Louisville, KY USA. Prior to that, she served on the denominational staff of Metropolitan Community Churches for 11 years in various roles, her last as a Church Life Specialist for the Office of Church Life and Health. In this role she offered her expertise in Church Size Theory and Assessments, Interim Ministry and Blended Worship Development. She also served as Chair of MCC’s Asian Pacific Initiative Team. Stedney was ordained by MCC in December 2009 following her graduation from Pacific School of Religion. Read More