Dear friends,
You are deeply valued by PLNU. In these unprecedented times, our commitment to you as our students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, supporters, and friends is unwavering. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its spread both locally and globally, we have sought to ensure the health and safety of our campus community by moving our courses virtual and by having students move out of the residence halls. Those with particular needs to stay are being accommodated.
As you can imagine, these acts have taken courage, sacrifice, and tremendous work by faculty, staff, and administrators. But even with the herculean efforts of moving all coursework online, moving students out, and giving them prorated housing refunds, we desire to further serve you. The Viewpoint Online hopes to provide content that you find useful during these difficult times, and we would love your input on what might be most helpful. We see our online magazine and social media channels as opportunities to uplift, encourage, and share practical ideas and updates with you. Please reach out at any time to let us know what content would benefit you, and we will do our best to provide it.
PLNU, as you know, is a close-knit community that values people and lifelong relationships. When we teach, whether virtually or in person, we strive to create personal and life-giving interactions. Though social distancing is necessary at this time, we need not be spiritually or relationally distant. We want to continue to engage with you and to draw even closer through prayer, shared thoughts, and conversation.
As a first step, we want to share some resources with you.
- Visit PLNU’s COVID-19 Information Page to learn how PLNU is responding and how the campus has been impacted.
- Anxious for Nothing, an online Bible study by Max Lucado, is a free resource that can help us through the anxiety of these days.
- NPR’s guide to working from home offers practical ways to get started for the many workers who are now doing their jobs remotely.
- NPR also offers insights on balancing working from home with parenting and homeschooling.
- Read tips from Vault on how students can stay focused while learning virtually.
- Business Insider has assembled tips and guides for many aspects of remote work.
- USAToday shares information about store hours set aside for those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
- Discover four ways to build your relationships virtually while also social distancing from Viewpoint Online editor Nate Hamill.
- How to Mourn with Those Who Mourn is a conversation with Dr. Reuben Welch, PLNU’s chaplain from 1968-1983. With many schools and businesses closed and events cancelled, many are mourning losses in their lives. And as COVID-19 spreads, many are mourning the loss of health and life. This interview provides timely insight into how we can respond and support one another.
- This piece on happiness by Viewpoint Online contributor Chris Hazell reminds us how focusing on God and others can be sustaining during difficult times.
- Viewpoint Online contributor Wendy Cloherty’s piece After Mass Tragedy: Moving Beyond Our Initial Response may prove relevant in the days ahead.
Let’s commit to one another during this difficult time. Let’s pray for one another, for our students, and for our world. Let’s shine the light of Christ into these dark times with our love and compassion toward one another and our communities. Let’s stay in relationship and communication. Thank you for being part of PLNU.
Sincerely,
Christine Spicer
Viewpoint Editor editor@pointloma.edu
Related story: Building Relationships Virtually While Social Distancing
