How Churches Can Help Congregants Heal from Pandemic Trauma

By Rev. Elizabeth Stevens

My favorite definition of trauma is “anything that overwhelms our ability to cope.” The COVID-19 pandemic crashed like a tidal wave of horror into a global community that was already struggling. On a global scale, people were traumatized by climate change and natural disasters, the breakdown of capitalism, wars and famines.  In the US, we were also coping with the epidemic of mass shootings, the breakdown of democracy, and all of the casualties related to the so-called ‘culture war.”  

To make things worse, at the height of the pandemic, we were denied access to many key co-regulation strategies. Almost all components of worship are strengthening and calming to our nervous systems. Giving hugs, slowing down, meditating or praying, reflecting together on meaningful topics, laughing, singing together, and engaging in embodied ritual have all been shown to reduce anxiety and arousal. While online worship could allow worshippers to take advantage of some of these strategies, others, such as singing and physical contact, were taken off the table.

Now that the tidal wave has receded, people are finding their way back, I believe in part because they recognize the ways that being part of a religious community helps calm their nervous system and helps them feel more resilient. The recent Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Communities (EPIC) study, administered by Faith Communities Today, “This Place Means Everything to Me,” lifts up several trends that could be interpreted as evidence that people are finding opportunities to co-regulate invaluable in the post-pandemic world. If this is true, then bringing a trauma-informed lens to the work of religious leadership would help strengthen and grow vibrant ministries across denominations.

Healing from trauma

The study shows that while people appreciate the opportunity to participate online, most (over 80%) choose to participate in person when possible. Trauma lives in our physical bodies, and the most effective strategies to integrate and heal trauma allow for embodied connection. The simple act of breathing and singing together mitigates our stress response, and helps us shift into a more centered and creative way of being.  

A trauma-informed approach to worship would provide plenty of opportunities for movement, physical contact, and ritual. Meditations and prayers that emphasize safety and the support of community help people relax and release tension and anxiety. Music remains one of the most powerful tools for regulation and co-regulation, and choosing music that calms, uplifts, or even offers an opportunity to lament will help people find equilibrium.

Another clue lies in patterns of volunteerism. After dipping to a low of 15% during the pandemic, the study shows that volunteerism has rebounded, with 29% of respondents reporting they volunteer often (three or more times a month) and an additional 21% reporting they volunteer regularly (once or twice a month).  Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood.  In other words, it’s a powerful tool for regulating the nervous system.

Churches are and always have been an effective way to find volunteer opportunities. A trauma-informed approach to volunteer management would provide a wide variety of ways for people to help themselves by helping others. Grounding acts of service in a sense of gratitude and the desire to give back would help create a sense of well-being.  

The study also found that among new attenders, the most common reason cited for joining a religious community was that the congregation aligned with their beliefs, values, and preferences. Overall, the survey showed greater harmony and less conflict than were present pre-pandemic. Human beings are tribal omnivores, and this attraction to places that provide a  sense of belonging and safety demonstrates an almost primal need to find and be among ‘our people.’

A trauma-informed approach to growth, then, would prioritize congregational health and stability by promoting trauma literacy. Conflict is a natural part of human community, and when we are well-regulated, we are able to move through disagreements with grace. On the other hand, when we are dysregulated, people yield to the impulse to either fight or flee. Coaching people on how to move through conflict with self-awareness and compassion will create an overall sense of cohesion and resilience.

In conclusion, being sensitive to the ways we manage trauma and co-regulate in community helps religious communities create a sense of sanctuary. In these safe places, members are able to come back to their best selves, and rediscover a sense of purpose and inner peace.  Much of what churches do already serves this purpose. However, the more religious leaders are educated and aware of the ways we are helping people integrate trauma, the more we’ll be able to help our communities become more vibrant and resilient.

The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevens has served as the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse in Moscow, Idaho since 2012.  She’s a graduate of Yale University, Starr King School for the Ministry, and San Francisco Theological Seminary.  Her doctoral work focused on trauma’s impact on congregational systems.  She’s the mother of two grown sons, an avid hiker, and an amateur musician.  Her guiding question in life is “what is the most loving thing I can do right now?”