Churches finding new ways to connect

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore-area churches are not letting COVID-19 get in the way of connecting to their communities despite the suspension of their services.
In light of the threat posed by COVID-19 and the associated government order limiting gatherings to 15 people, religious groups are reaching out to their memberships in new ways to offer faith services and support while maintaining social distancing.
Members of the Lord of All Lutheran Church are being kept in touch with “a lot of phone contact,” said Pastor Dawn Nelson.
“Just about everyone in the church has been called by this point – and now we’ve started again,” said Nelson.
The church is also filming worship and playing it on Sunday mornings, via live feeds, on Facebook. Additionally, Sunday school lessons and short bible studies are being delivered by “email ministry,” she said.
Anyone experiencing difficulties can contact the church for support, said Nelson.
“If somebody is having a hard time, just have them call the church and we will find a friendly voice to visit – that’s open to the whole community,” she said.
Keeping a face-to-face relationship has been helped by technology, said Father Wojciech Jarzecki of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. Jarzecki said he is being proactive with outreach because he “doesn’t want to just sit.”
“If people have an Apple (device), then on Facetime, they and I basically do mass in my kitchen here,” said Jarzecki.
While Sacred Heart is not offering online services, its diocese provides streaming of services in Calgary, or members can watch mass on television if they do not have a computer, he said.
Keeping the congregation connected means phoning each member one by one, said Reverend Pamela Scott of the Strathmore United Church.
“As the minister, I will eventually get around to calling everybody – it will take a little while to get through the whole list,” she said. “Everyone will be phoned.”
Strathmore United’s congregation is also keeping connected through email, including a weekly reflection and bible studies, said Scott.
The church is also helping vulnerable members with grocery shopping.
“If the elderly don’t want to go out, we have folks that will shop for them,” said Scott, who added that a prolonged crisis could mean a greater demand for church supports.
“I’m anticipating that as this lengthens, people will have more difficulties and want more prayer,” she said.
Recovering from the crisis may take more time than anticipated, which is what happened in other Alberta communities that experienced disruptive events, noted Scott.
“They say after any crisis, it takes five years to recover. That certainly was the case for the church in High River that was flooded, and that was the case with the churches that burned down in Fort McMurray.”
“When we gather again, I think there will be a lot of anxiety.”