Worship in the time of COVID: FM Radio, e-Newsletters, Snail Mail, Zoom & House Calls.
As we work our way through the continued challenges of staying safe and sane in the COVID-era 2020, I was curious about places of worship - religious and spiritual gathering sites - their followers and parishioners. How are they fairing? What challenges do they have, and how their congregation – particularly those who are not digital – getting along?
Studies show a great benefit to those who are part of an organized religion.[1] Implied logic is that being a part of a social network gives you that greater quality of life. By definition a church is a worshiping body,[2] the participants/followers/parishioners, but most likely you will think of an actual building where people meet. A person can worship, pray, meditate, read text, in the comfort of one’s home. However, you can also do sit-ups, pushups and planks at home, yet gyms remain a popular gathering spot with instructors in high demand.
Much of the nation took heed to Science when transmission through large gatherings raised case counts and left many families mourning. Unfortunately, a great number of regular opportunities for social and soul nourishment were also left stranded, not just houses of faith. During a time of great strife and challenge, churches traditionally step up to minister to their congregation; buoying hope and faith. Since the primary transmission of the deadly super-flu is of gatherings, it made sense to curtail those until a vaccine or a treatment could be found.
In the movies, we are conditioned to expect a happy ending in an average of “2 hours and 39 minutes”[3]; under 25-45 minutes for a television sitcom. Here in IRL otherwise known as “In Real Life”, things take an organic pace. Both Science and common sense will agree that we will be working with this challenge to our health and way of life for some time. Even the 1918 flu, a mirror from the past of our present situation, was with us for several years. [4]
So, in light of no gatherings for the safety of participants, how are houses of worship working through ministering to participants? I talked to 4 houses of worship and 3 families about their experiences as they manage to keep their faith in these trying times.
Enter FM radio, Internet and the LAN Line.
Pastor Ken Word at Bethel Baptist tells me that they have been putting on online services. While “most are trying to be flexible and adapt” but there are a few members “who have no access to online at this time so we are only able to visit with them over the phone.”
Pastor Josh Margerison now “preaches from the front porch facing the parking lot, where people listen from their vehicles.” There at Calvary Baptist, they have streamed their services online since the beginning of the pandemic and also offer FM radio as well. The adaptations are complete with real-world quick fixes“.. we have struggled to figure out lighting and video-friendly backgrounds. The innovation has taken on bizarre, unseen props like a cheese cracker box supporting a spotlight and duct tape fastening a dashboard-style mobile phone holder to a tripod.”
While most of the spiritual leaders I spoke with did not encounter any challenges to “going high tech”, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for them all. First Baptist has been unable to overcome some of the difficulty in ministering to those needing lower tech. Pastor Aycock “purchased a $180 radio transmitting device that would help us send out a radio signal 1-2 blocks, so people could listen in on their car radio... Unfortunately, it broke after a month. I couldn’t afford the $1500 transmitter.”
Reverend Tanya Wildflower of the Mendocino Center for Spiritual Living explains that she was new to Zoom herself and with the help of her parishioners who were techie they were able to get on Zoom and offer their gatherings online. But she still started a daily inspirational share e-mail as well as phoning members, in order to make personal contact with those who were isolated.
While some of the Mendocino Center for Spiritual Living members have adapted by finally taking the plunge and finally becoming digital immigrants in 2020 - purchasing computers, internet subscriptions such as DSL and learning how to use the technology - many have not been able to overcome the digital divide. For those, an in-person social distant visit or a telephone call or mail are the resources being offered.
Snail Mail & House Calls
Before COVID First Baptist in Fort Bragg streamed live on Facebook. Already having that in place as a common routine. But, as Pastor Aycock explains, “Our demographic is older, with many older senior citizens. Some do not even have email and most do not have Facebook. To continue to minister to the spiritual needs of our members who lacked the needed technology, I began using snail mail to send out transcripts of my Sunday sermons, and began a monthly newsletter.
Anna R. says she has been impressed with her mother’s faith supporting her mother with COVID safety worship. Anna’s mother is a born-again Mormon. Anna tells me that the church shut down right away, out of concern for safety of their members. Furthermore, since Anna’s mother does not have internet or computer, she along with many of the older members of the congregation, was completely isolated from her faith family. Anna tells me the bishop goes to the home of “each of the elderly single ladies… goes to the doorway and gives them communion, and visits them in a safe space.”
New techniques allow for deeper practice.
For those with access and fluency in technology, Zoom and the like has offered an expansion to their practice
Susie D is overall very happy with the opportunities she’s had since COVID changed the way worship is handled. She attended her first ever Rosh Hashana as well as mass in both Rome and New York. She can deepen her practice in her faiths by attending more classes than opportunity or expense previously allowed. Zoom bypasses any travel restrictions as well the advantage of being more relaxed and able to “focus on what’s important”
Chris V. also likes the change, “At first [Zoom] was intimidating, but now I like it. You have the option of being seen or not. I like that...you know if you have a bad hair day! LOL”
Funding and the Future
A common note is that those without internet access are struggling to adapt. The ones without internet are disproportionately senior citizens. The digital divide has widened the gap between services for that demographic now more than ever. In August, Michael Gryboski, Christian Post reporter, surmised that 25% of churches would close within the next 18 months.[5] While church attendance nationwide has seen a steady decline in recent years (the latest findings suggest a mere 17% of households regularly attend[6]) the attendance. Local churches and spiritual centers, attendance is down >60% from pre-COVID times.
Overall my interviewees were all very positive in their ability to financially weather the storm. All acknowledged continued regular support from parishioners. Pastor Aycock tells me “I have amazing people. And I have made phone calls to check on people, sent out sermon transcripts and newsletters. This has helped encourage people. As a result, our monthly revenue actually increased a little perhaps due to the weekly sermon in their mailbox.”
MCSL had the foresight and savvy to put away a financial savings for a rainy day, though they haven’t needed to dip into that reserve yet. Rev. Wildflower tells us; “our expenses went down in half, because we’re not spending money, just like everybody else, we’re not buying stuff. We’re not putting on events. I cut my staff and I cut [my own] salary.”
All of the houses of worship interviewed have indicated that their parishioners have continued to be supportive during this time. Just like everyone else, religious and spiritual centers have gotten creative, techie and determined in return.
