Resource manual tackles Covid-19 matters for Christians
The document looks at five critical levels of health - the heart, mind, body, family and the community.
WHAT is quite possibly the most comprehensive, detailed, thoughtful and thorough 80-page online document to help South African Christians navigate these unusual times has been launched as an easily-accessible resource manual for church leaders.
The document covers a variety of topics including the national health system, what leaders should know and teach, understanding infections, strengthening immune systems, immune strengthening foods and African super-foods.
The simply-written document was written and collated by Director of Zoe-Life based at Blue Roof in Wentworth, Dr Stephanie Thomas, supporting a national faith and KZN response to Covid-19 with guidance from multiple health practitioners, sectional contributors and members of the SA Society of Integrated Medicine.
“God’s health system has largely been forgotten as our society places so much emphasis on the government health system. In this unique crisis, where we want to spare the national health care system from being overwhelmed, we have an opportunity to remember, return to and restore the practices and principles of ancient health systems. From plants and food, to breathing, praying and community food projects, we can learn to bring life into our bodies, immune systems, families and communities,” said Thomas.
“The current national messaging is causing fear and fatigue among South Africans. I was increasingly concerned that this paralysis meant we were not taking responsibility for our personal response. I was aware that there weren’t many conversations around prevention, nothing about how to strengthen immune systems to fight the virus, and about what some things we can do to keep our bodies in perfect balance.”
“There are three key pointers: remembering that we have been able to fight infections and diseases since the beginning, and still can. We need to know how to support and strengthen our immune system and we need to recognise God’s healing gifts – which to use and how to use them.”
She has suggested a counter-point approach to the government-led health system, which has been clear about communicating about hygiene protocols and social distancing.
Her suggestion is working from the inside out, looking at five levels of health – the heart, mind, body, family and the community.
Thomas supports the need to catalyse communities in practical, hands-on ways to support each other to be healthy – growing, understanding, harvesting and using the abundance of indigenous plants grown at a community level.
Her vision is mobilising individuals, households and churches to produce more and share with others, for people with capacity and access to kitchens to make health-promoting foods and share them.
The creation of this document is supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the KZN Covid-19: Churches Response Project – a broad and inclusive partnership of traditional, independent, Pentecostal and African Independent Churches, Christian Associations, Ecumenical Networks, Church leaders and Ministers’ Fraternal – across all demographics, languages and geographical locations throughout KZN.
For more information, visit Covid-19 Response or click on the link to download the document Covid – 19: God’s Way.
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