Page 26 - PC Issue 14 Summer 2020

Connection
NEWS
Ministry in the Crisis of COVID-19
26
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2020
presbyterian.ca
By the Rev. Dr. Devadosan Sugirtharaj, Memorial Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mountain House, Alta.
Millions around the world have been affected by COVID-19, and no one is immune to this pandemic.
When the Session of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Rocky Moun- tain House, Alta., became aware of
the coronavirus, they did not want to sit idly by. Rather they wanted to redirect the crisis as pastoral care toward the congregation. They came up with the following effective policies as a means to manage the growing risks of this pandemic.
First, praying about the pandem- ic’s impact on the global community and Canada has become part of our
regular personal, group and worship devotions.
Second, the Session decided to implement a “No handshaking or hugging” policy. They encouraged everyone to verbalize their greetings with a smile. And at the peace sharing time, instead of getting up and offer- ing God’s peace around the room, the congregation was encouraged to re-
main seated and share the peace only with those sitting nearest them, all the while avoiding physical contact.
Third, information about the virus was displayed alongside recom- mended precautions to prevent the spread within the church and great- er community. Hand sanitizer was placed in relevant places so that any- one entering the building could use it.
Fourth, as further health directives were issued and large social gather- ings were banned, the Session de- cided to lead worship virtually. Every Sunday service is now being shared on YouTube and Facebook, so that church members and the commu- nity may still have worship services while exercising social distancing. Many members of the congregation have eagerly brought their talents and given their time to make this hap- pen. The church choir director, choir members and musicians continue to make such an impact on our wor- ship through music and through their digital skills. The music is recorded by a handful of people who prac- tice social distancing at the church. Parts of the service are recorded at people’s homes. The footage is then pieced together using a video-editing program.
Fifth, the fellowship time of the congregation is being held via web conferencing after the Sunday ser- vice, where participants share their hopes, joys, concerns and stories. Holy Week services were also held using web conferencing.
Finally, the church continues to demonstrate pastoral care through mindful prayer and thoughtful lis- tening via online platforms, such as email and web conferencing, as well as over the phone.
As a small congregation, the crisis affects our finances, so we encour- age people to support the church with offerings through direct deposit, e-transfers or in envelopes that can be passed on to the church office, which remains open three mornings a week. We pray that God may meet everyone’s needs during this time of crisis, and that others may benefit from our experience.
Drive-Thru
Church in Stittsville
By the Rev. Doug Kendall, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Stittsville, Ont.
It was Thursday, March 19. I was still working from the church office, and sitting in my study wondering (as I imagine most ministers and church leaders were) how we were going to do ministry in this COVID-19 wilder- ness time. We had already cancelled one Sunday morning worship service and we had no idea how many more would need to be cancelled.
As I sat in my study, the phone rang. It was a member of the church who was saddened by the cancella- tion of the Sunday service. But his main concern was not for himself—it was for the church. “How can I get my offering to the church? Can I do direct deposit? Can I drive by and drop it off if I keep a safe distance?” We talked about several options that got me thinking about other ways we could continue ministry and some aspects of Sunday worship, while still keeping a safe distance. That’s
when the idea of “Drive-Thru” church came to mind. I remembered that in my first charge in Gananoque, Ont., the Pentecostal church used to hold “Drive-In” worship on Sunday eve- nings in a grocery store parking lot. Why not hold “Drive-Thru” worship?
As the idea began to come to- gether, it became clear that we needed to have a meaningful form of worship that safely respected physical distancing measures. We decided on a set-up of several sta- tions in the church parking lot. Peo- ple would drive up to the first station, where I would hear any celebrations and prayer requests they wished to share. I would write those down to be shared by email with the whole congregation later in the day. Then the in-car worshipper would drive to the next station, where the envelope secretary would have an offering box and a bin for food bank donations on a table positioned a safe distance away. However, as we did the plan- ning, it felt like something important
was missing (and I don’t mean the sermon). One of the elders pointed out, “What is Sunday worship with- out coffee hour?” She decided to provide coffee and tea in take-out cups, as well as fresh-baked cook- ies and muffins. She would take the person’s order (wearing gloves and a face mask), prepare their coffee hour items and place them on a final ta- ble safely positioned more than two metres away, after which she would step back, allowing the person to drive up and pick up their order.
Drive-Thru Church turned out to be a chilly, but safe and joy-filled morning of visiting and sharing our joys and celebrations as well as our prayers for others. And yes, there was a pretty good offering as well. Many in-car worshippers comment- ed on how much they appreciated just getting out of their houses and having a chance to connect with their church family.
We were planning to continue Drive-Thru Church for a number of
weeks. Our music director was keen to come and offer the gift of music as well, but sadly, it was only two days later that Prime Minister Trudeau, on the advice of the health authorities and in an effort to flatten the curve said, “Go home and stay home.” It is in our nature as the church to be to- gether, to be a community, and in this challenging time when we are physi- cally separated from one another, we find it difficult in part because it af- fects our very identity.
At our church, we have joked about how 2020 is the year we all gave up going to church for Lent, but another idea has been helpful for me in this time of separation. It came from a friend in ministry in P.E.I. His congregation chose one Sunday a year when they did not have worship
and, instead, found other ways in the community to be the body of Christ for others. He said the worship theme for that Sunday of the year was, “Don’t go to church...be the church.” I find those words to be comforting, inspiring and a good challenge. We cannot go to church right now, but we can still be the church in new and creative ways. And being the church right now is more relevant than ever.