Life Together During COVID-19
Here we are, coming into the month of May—the time of year that we Minnesotans excitedly wait for all winter. It’s finally beautiful and warm outside, and that may lead to a lot of questions about how we can be together with the current shelter-in-place orders. With that, we have tried to create a list of activities that will spark your imagination of creative ways to still be together without actually being together. This is just a starting point and we are eager to hear the ways that you’re coming up with to hang out with friends while socially-distanced.
As a qualifier, with everything in this list, please still follow the CDC’s guidelines: maintain no less than 6 feet apart, and while you're at it don't feel embarrassed to slip on that fashionable face mask while you're with your friends! And, remember, please keep all gatherings in small groups of 10 or less. Then, finally, let's respect each other’s personal boundaries and thresholds for risk. If someone really doesn't feel comfortable with hanging out (even 6 ft. apart), do not shame them! Respect their conscience and the precautions they are taking.
jackbox.tv || The link here is to the main Jack Box Games website where you can purchase digital games that you can use unlimited times with lots of friends. Our favorite is QuipLash! There max amount of players is 8, but up to 10,000 people can sign on and vote on their favorite “Quips” making it perfect for a big group!
houseparty.com || This is a really fun app that has games built into it so you can video chat and gather a group to play a game — almost as if you were all chatting around the table at a friend’s house over some snacks and someone says, “Hey, do you guys want to play a game?” Almost!
netflixparty.com || This site allows you to watch your favorite shows with your friends virtually. Almost like they’re sitting on the couch next to you! Sounds like a good time to us!
Go for a Prayer Walk || Call up a friend and find a time to walk and pray together — whether that’s meeting up and walking together, or walking and talking while on the phone with each other. If you need ideas of what to pray about you can use the prayer list that is in the Household Liturgy on Sundays, or email prayer@citieschurch.com to sign-up to receive updates from the prayer team and be notified of needs in our congregation.
Go on a FaceTime Double Date || Order take out from the same restaurant, buy the same bottle of wine, sit down at your respective tables, and enjoy the meal with one another virtually.
Chik-Fil-A Lunch Bunch || Meet up with some friends at Chik-Fil-A for lunch. Drive-through to get your food, then park and open up the doors of your cars to talk and hang out with one another.
BYO Lawnchair Bonfire || Invite friends to join you in your backyard for a nice bonfire. Request them to use your backyard entrance so you don’t need to worry about people coming through your house, and ask them to bring their own chairs so you don’t need to worry about disinfecting your own. Set the chairs up 6 feet apart and spend a wonderful evening together in this gorgeous weather. (As a caveat, do be mindful of your neighbors — especially if any of them are ‘high-risk’ for Covid).
Go Fishing with a Friend || Now that the weather is warmer, it is prime time to go fishing, set your rods up 6 feet apart, and enjoy some quiet with one another.
Read a Book or Book of the Bible Together || Find a friend, pick a book, and set up a recurring time to discuss it on the phone together.
Workout with a Friend || Follow the same workout plan with a close friend, and either workout together at a park or turn your phone on speaker while you’re exercising to encourage one another!
Call a Friend || Okay, this is simple. But seriously, try to call a friend every day! Be intentional and ask them how they’re doing, offer to pray for them, and see if they need anything. I’m sure they will feel loved by you reaching out.
Take a Class with a Friend || Linked here are classes at the website Brit + Co. There are a wide variety of classes on this site—you do have to pay for them, but it may be fun to do the same one with a friend an talk about what you’re learning.
Host a Virtual “Presentation Party” || Every person needs to come up with a three-minute PowerPoint presentation on something they're interested in—the more niche the interest, the better! Then each person takes three-minutes (no more!) presenting their interest to the group, trying to convince others they should be interested as well. At the end, have everyone vote on who had the most intriquing presentation. Bonus: include a small prize for the winner (like a gift card to your favorite local restaurant that is doing take-out)
masterclass.com || Go in on MasterClass with someone and take the same course together. I know you’ve all seen the amazing previews for this on YouTube. Now is the time to try it out!
biblicaltraining.org || This is an awesome website full of free courses taught by lots of great scholars, pastors, and teachers. Now is a great time to dive into the deep end of a theological concept you’ve always wondered about. You’ve been given the gift of time at home, so use it! Take the same course with a group of friends and have weekly check-ins and discussions with them.