Moraine Valley Church

 I Love My Adopting Church Passage   October 15, 2023     Introduction:In 2017 an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” was declared the US surgeon general.  And the health implications of loneliness have become clearer over time.The link between loneliness and physical & mental health is well established, as it can lead to dementia, heart disease, stroke and even premature death along with changes in our brain that impact the way we relate with people!  In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic amplified the problem with increased social isolation and decreased social support.The average American’s daily time spent with people dropped by one hour and screen time increased by one hour. That means the average American traded over 300 hours of in-person time for over 300 hours of social media, TV, and internet reading. Let me add a few more things that contribute to this epidemic of loneliness and isolation Think of the community life of those who lived in the city as they spent time on their front porch relating