Metro Detroit Episcopal churches create $100K matching fund for food banks

From Michigan-

Three Episcopal churches in Metro Detroit have come together to create a $100,000 matching fund with proceeds going to food bank distributors throughout the region.

The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan in Detroit, All Saints' Episcopal Church in Pontiac and Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills have partnered to create the dollar-for-dollar matching fund to support local food banks "experiencing unprecedented demands that are rapidly outstripping their supplies," the diocese said in a release.

“This is a time when we, people of faith, are called to embody our beliefs by giving away a portion of what we have, we are called to love one another as God has loved us,” said Bonnie Perry, the newly consecrated 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.

More here-

 https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/04/20/metro-detroit-episcopal-churches-create-matching-fund-for-food-banks/5166792002/

Local churches adjust tithing processes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

From Florida-

At St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Panama City, they’ve moved to a more modern process..

“We implemented an app called Tithely, and it's working very well... We are making our needs known. We are mentioning it on livestream. We are letting people know when our newsletters go out what we need, and so far people have been very generous and went out of their way to meet those needs,” said Father Rian Adams of St. Andrews Episcopal.

Father Adams’ wife also started making cloth face masks for anyone who wants them. All they ask is, if you order one, you make a donation to the church. In the first week of orders, the mask fundraiser brought in more than $1000 to St. Andrews.

“We don't ask them to do anything more than what they're able to at that point. We welcome whatever they're able to give, and we trust God for the rest of it,” said Father Adams.

Reverend Woodrow says another place churches are looking for money is the government.
“Fortunately, the government, if the government comes through with loans, they've been extended to churches, so churches can make their payroll. That'll help out a lot,” said Reverend Woodrow. 

More here-

https://www.wjhg.com/wecp/content/news/Local-churches-adjust-tithing-processes-amidst-the-COVID-19-pandemic-569774741.html

Menlo Park rector on leave as Episcopal leaders investigate funds misuse

From Califonia-

The rector of Trinity Episcopal Church has been placed on leave for using at least $125,000 in church funds for personal spending, parish leaders announced Sunday.

A financial review by church leaders determined the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett, who had led Trinity for a decade, misused funds for at least the last five years, according to a news release attributed to the Rev. Canon Abbott Bailey. The release said Dutton-Gillett admitted misusing the unreimbursed funds when asked.

A spokeswoman said Sunday that church leaders intend to file a police report. Church leaders told parishioners about the situation in a Zoom conference meeting Sunday before the scheduled 10 a.m. online service, the spokeswoman said.

“This is a very painful time for me, and particularly for my family,” Dutton-Gillett said in a statement to this news organization. “I have a deep love for the Trinity community, and they for me, and I know that this is painful for them, as well. I regret that deeply.”

More here-

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/19/menlo-park-rector-on-leave-as-episcopal-leaders-investigate-funds-misuse/

Churches feel the financial effects of COVID-19

From Ohio/New York-

WITH PARISHIONERS no longer gathering at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown, N.Y., during the COVID-19 pandemic and some dealing with lost jobs or reduced work hours, the Rev. Luke Fodor knows his parish will feel the financial effects of the crisis as much as anything else.

“There are a number of folks who are impacted and aren’t able to give what they expected to give,” he said.

But it’s also a chance, Fodor said, for the church to recognize the scriptural concept from 1st Corinthians 12, that if one part of the body suffers, every part feels it.

“It’s a moment where, sure, we’re hurt as a church and our funding’s cut, but it’s not about us, it’s about helping” those in need, he said.

Many churches have had to forgo in-person services to follow government orders not to gather in large groups and maintain social distance of at least 6 feet between individuals in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Even so, they continue to offer services through various online platforms and other methods while they also try to meet the needs of people in the community.

More here-

https://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/local-news/2020/04/churches-feel-the-financial-effects-of-covid-19/

History repeated?: One church’s tale of two pandemics, 100 years apart

From Sight-

At the height of the influenza pandemic in 1918, Rev John Misao Yamazaki stopped holding services at St Mary’s Japanese Mission, the Episcopal church in Los Angeles he helped found more than a decade prior. Before mandatory quarantines were enacted, Yamazaki began visiting homes to pray for sick children and families.

More than a century later, in the midst of another global pandemic, Rev Laurel Coote, Yamazaki’s successor at what is now St Mary’s Episcopal Church, stands in the quiet sanctuary livestreaming images of its empty pews and stained glass windows to her congregation via Facebook.

“I felt compelled to come into the sanctuary so that I could sit in its beauty and its silence and stillness. And I know that you’re missing it too, and so I thought, let me share it with you today,” Coote says in the video. “Christ is alive in this holy place.”

More here-

https://www.sightmagazine.com.au/features/15468-history-repeated-one-church-s-tale-of-two-pandemics-100-years-apart

‘Martyrs of Memphis’ have lessons to teach those battling COVID-19

From ENS-

The martyrdom of Constance and her five companions, who died within a month of each other while ministering to residents of Memphis, Tennessee, amid the 1878 yellow fever epidemic, has always inspired the ministry of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.

The Rev. Laura Gettys, the Memphis cathedral’s interim dean, told Episcopal News Service that the question is how to continue to live out the story and not leave it on the shelf as a legend from the past. She said that is especially true now as the COVID-19 pandemic inspires members of the cathedral but restrictions on movement challenge their ministries.

“On the days when I particularly feel overwhelmed, I’m mindful of what they did. They showed up and were faithful and were present to those who needed them the most. They were there for prayer, for love, for compassion, and many times for medical care,” Gettys said.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/04/17/martyrs-of-memphis-have-lessons-to-teach-those-battling-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR0NLoPQ5r5wt7UYNmyIHQLYjU9CFB0awM99bF-95Hkw4d1doSFV031ZILw

Families parade to show appreciation for Richmond teachers

From Virginia-

St. Michael’s Episcopal School families surprised teachers on Thursday with a caravan of well wishes to show their support and gratitude, as students continue remote learning.

Several cars paraded across metro Richmond to surprise teachers in their homes for Teacher Appreciation Day. The “Caring Caravans” were decorated with homemade signs and included families playing music and blasting their horns. The St. Michael’s Dragon mascot even made a surprise visit at some stops. Teachers were treated with box lunches from Sally Bell’s Kitchen.

St. Michael’s launched remote learning for students in grades kindergarten-eight grade on March 23rd. 

More here-

https://www.wtvr.com/news/coronavirus/virginia-together/families-parade-to-show-appreciation-for-richmond-teachers

Remembering a beloved priest and a dear childhood friend who died from COVID-19

From Miami-

The coronavirus has taken away our loved ones and acquaintances.

It has also taken away a way of life from us. No longer can we stand around the bedside of a loved one who is about to make his or her transition from this earthly life to life eternal. And no longer can we celebrate their life in going-home ceremonies that help comfort us.

This became a reality a few weeks ago when one of my dear childhood friends, the Rev. Canon Richard Marquess-Barry, died. Until his retirement in 2012, he had served as the popular and civic-minded rector of the Historic Saint Agnes Episcopal Church in Overtown.

At another time, it would have been hard to find a house of God to accommodate all who would have attended his funeral. Yet we, his family and friends, still mourn him and celebrate his life, even though we do so from our homes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

More here-

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article242047146.html

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article242047146.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article242047146.html#storylink=cpy

In Good Faith column: The accidental televangelist

From Tim Schenck-

I never thought I’d say this but ... I’ve become a televangelist. On Sunday mornings I preach into the lens of a video camera, encouraging my online flock, coming to them live from a makeshift church studio. Virtually overnight, I had to reinvent myself as the Joel Osteen of Hingham, Massachusetts. Minus the private jet and the sickeningly sweet message that goes down like cotton candy but quickly dissolves into nothing.

None of this is by choice, of course. We’ve been streaming our church services on Facebook Live and through our website ever since we had to shut down in-person worship. On Easter, “Let us pray” was replaced with “Quiet on the set!” 

Although we are worshipping virtually right now, there is nothing “virtual” about our faith. This world needs God’s love more than ever right now. And it needs us all to share God’s love with others.
That whole “love your neighbor as yourself” thing? This moment in our common life cries out for the embodiment of this command. Not with hugs or hand holding, but by praying for one another, by sharing our resources with those in need, by reaching out to those who are isolated and alone, by supporting those who are on the front lines of this pandemic, by making masks, by staying home, and even by watching your pastor morph into a televangelist. 

More here-

https://www.vvdailypress.com/opinion/20200416/in-good-faith-column-accidental-televangelist

Episcopal bishop extends suspension of in-person group worship through May 17

From Alabama-

The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama has extended its suspension of in-person group worship services through Sunday, May 17.

Bishop Kee Sloan made the announcement today in a letter to Episcopalians.

Sloan said that date may need to be extended again. “I also recognize that civil authorities may be setting an earlier date, and that other churches of other denominations may reopen sooner than we do,” Sloan said. “I would rather we be too cautious than not cautious enough.”

On Tuesday, Bishop Robert J. Baker, pastoral administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, extended the ban on public gatherings for Mass at least through Thursday, April 30. Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of the Archdiocese of Mobile said on Tuesday that although his current suspension of group worship extends through April 18, that’s now viewed as indefinite. He did not give a possible date for return. “Although the suspension of public Masses had been extended through this week, it must again be extended indefinitely," Rodi said. "Let us pray that public Masses will resume soon. This will depend upon medical advice and civil authorities.”

More here-

https://www.al.com/coronavirus/2020/04/episcopal-bishop-extends-suspension-of-in-person-worship-through-may-17.html

Episcopal Bishop McConnell postpones retirement

From Pittsburgh-

Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has postponed his retirement from April to September 2021 to provide a continuity of leadership as the church copes with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and to allow more time for the diocese to find a successor.

Bishop McConnell announced the postponement in a statement Thursday “due to the extraordinary circumstances brought on by pandemic.”

The typical search process for a successor involves meetings within the diocese and travel by candidates for the position.

“We don’t know how long we will be unable to meet together due to the pandemic, nor can we foresee the full impact on our parishes of the economic and personal stresses we will likely be experiencing for some time to come,” Bishop McConnell wrote. “Extending my tenure by a few months will allow some continuity of pastoral care as we all try to get back on our feet once the worst has past.”

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/04/16/Episcopal-Bishop-Dorsey-McConnell-postpones-retirement-covid-coronavirus-continuity/stories/202004160185

Washington National Cathedral Will Light up in Blue All Week to Thank Health Care Workers Amid Pandemic

From Popculture-

It has been announced that the Washington National Cathedral will light up in blue all week. This is being done as a way to thank health care workers for all their hard work amid the coronavirus pandemic. The church announced the plan on Tuesday, taking to Twitter to share the news.

"[Washington National Cathedral] will be lit blue each night thru (sic) Saturday to honor the doctors, nurses and medical heroes on the front lines of the #coronavirus fight," read the tweet. "Special thanks to our partners at Atmosphere Lighting! The church then added a hashtag for #bluecathedral. Additionally, CBS Sunday Morning news also reported on the kind gesture. The move comes after the church issued a prayer of support for healthcare workers on March 30. "Hear our prayers for those in emergency medicine. By your healing power, grant them quick minds and skillful hands. 

Strengthen them in times of trauma. In quiet times, give them rest and assurance of the value of their work," the WNC said.

More here-

https://popculture.com/trending/2020/04/15/washington-national-cathedral-light-up-blue-all-week-thank-health-care-workers-amid-pandemic/

Chaplains and Parish Clergy: Covid-19 has Just Declared Your Ministry Non-Essential

On Patheos-

Well, strictly speaking, Covid-19 was the presenting issue.  Your role was changed by something called “Hospital Incident Command.”

Hospital Incident Command

HIC is a “standardized approach to managing complex incidents” that was developed in the 1970s in California to give hospitals “a framework on which to build a response quickly and scale it” to fit the demands made on hospitals by large scale emergencies, including the wildland fires in California that originally prompted its development.  After the 9/11, those protocols were folded into the federal government National Incident Management System (NIMS) and became standardized across the country.

HIC consists of five elements designed to help hospitals respond effectively in emergencies:

More here-

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/whatgodwantsforyourlife/2020/04/chaplains-and-parish-clergy-covid-19-has-just-declared-your-ministry-non-essential/?fbclid=IwAR1m_w8o96vPPCLKEJTEj2a9WWywa-xfieSrcwVVGiTTpgzb2ur-7HCzels

Half of All Churches Are Instantly Growing. Here’s Why And Here’s What To Do.

From Carey Nieuwhof-

Maybe losing access to our buildings as church leaders wasn’t as disastrous as we thought. Church growth just spiked by 300% in the last month.

Sure…so much as happened. And as frazzled and exhausted as you might feel in the midst of the current global crisis, a fascinating statistic emerged last week that you don’t want to miss.
49% of all churches are growing right now.

A month earlier, before the pandemic hit the West, the statistic would have been that between 8-15% of all churches were growing.

So literally in 30 days, we’ve moved from a tiny percentage of churches growing to virtually half of all churches growing.

What’s even more surprising is that the growth trend holds up in every church size category.

According to the weekly polling we’re doing through Church Pulse Weekly (my new podcast/project with Barna and Gloo you can participate in), half of all churches,  regardless of church size—from very small churches (under 100) to megachurches—are experiencing growth.  It’s remarkable that this is true if you have 75 people attending, 750 or 7500.

More here-

https://careynieuwhof.com/half-of-all-churches-are-instantly-growing-heres-why-and-heres-what-to-do/?fbclid=IwAR3ZYobZOltgvSi8jO3i-GnF0FrYiW3cG44H0CP9w6g5fekq-HSaKe_52oo

Anglican Bishop: Church coped well over Easter

From Trinidad-

Anglican Bishop the Rt Rev Claude Berkley said the church coped "relatively well" in ministering to its flock amid covid19 restrictions over the Easter weekend."Usually, at Easter, attendance is higher than usual. But I would say we coped relatively well. Services and prayer meetings were offered by different parishes, mostly on social media," he told Tobago Newsday ."The response was gratifying, judging from the social media measurement and direct feedback."The Tobago-born Berkley said parishioners used technology to access the services.

"Another factor of encouragement was the moment of technological advance by persons who hitherto, resisted Many more mature persons would have migrated to social media."Berkley said although covid19 has changed the way people operate, they have been coping reasonably well so far."We have been comforting and consoling members and others by telephone and social media. And that expands to e-mail, WhatsApp, Messenger, to actual social distance conversations where possible "to encourage one another to pass the message along."

More here-

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/15/anglican-bishop-church-coped-well-over-easter/

Acknowledge our grief during time of coronavirus

From Austin-

Recently, I found myself doing something unfamiliar, and unexpected: pressing “publish” on a Facebook post that felt a bit too keenly like a sermon.

Yet, as new prescriptions and restrictions keep getting broadcast by our public health officials, with regard to how we move through this new world with COVID-19 most prudently, I have been feeling more and more aware of a crucial fact about the moment we are navigating culturally.

All of us, to some degree, are in grief (and will be).

In her influential study, “Death and Dying” (1969), psychiatrist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross identified five stages of grief: Denial (avoidance, confusion, elation, shock, fear), Anger (frustration, irritation, anxiety), Depression (overwhelm, helplessness, hostility, flight), Bargaining (struggling to find meaning, reaching out to others, telling one’s story), Acceptance (exploring options, new plan in place, moving on).

We experience grief not just when we lose someone (or some thing, job, place, or community) we love, but also when we experience the loss of what we considered (and valued as) “normal.” We are experiencing such loss now — individually, in differing intensities; and collectively, culturally, even globally.

More here-

https://www.statesman.com/entertainmentlife/20200414/acknowledge-our-grief-during-time-of-coronavirus

There’s no church, but it’s still Easter and Christians are celebrating

From Channel 3000-

Bishop Michael Curry, head of the Episcopal Church, will be in two places at once this Sunday.

Thousands of Episcopalians and other Christians will see him deliver his Easter sermon from the pulpit of Washington National Cathedral at 11 a.m. He pretaped the sermon on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Curry himself will be sitting in his living room in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The effervescent preacher, who stole the ceremony at Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding two years ago, may not even watch his own Easter sermon.

“I have never watched myself preach,” Curry said light-heartedly. “Maybe it’s humility, but I avoid that.”

Instead, the presiding bishop will pull out his iPad and watch another church’s service this Sunday.
It will be the first time in living memory he won’t be in church on Easter Sunday, Curry said. He’ll miss it, but said he sees a larger purpose at work.

“To love your neighbor is to love God. And one of the most loving things we can do this Sunday is not gather in a public assembly so that nobody else gets sick. It is an act of worship.”

More here-

https://www.channel3000.com/theres-no-church-but-its-still-easter-and-christians-are-celebrating/

Winner: We're losing Easter services. But we aren't losing Easter.

From Texas-

In its 1898 annual report to the diocese, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, — an African-American church founded about a decade earlier — explained the parish’s relatively modest number of baptisms and confirmations that year: Just one each, because the “usual day for such services” was Easter and the church had no service that Easter Sunday, “on account of smallpox anticipation.”

Over the past few weeks, Christians have adapted to the Sunday shutterings of churches — this time on account of coronavirus anticipation. But being barred from church on Easter feels like another matter altogether. As an Episcopal priest who’s also an American historian, I take some comfort in precedent. This will not be the first Easter churches have closed because of epidemics. Smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever: They’ve all closed churches on Easter Sundays past.

More here-

https://www.news-journal.com/opinion/winner-were-losing-easter-services-but-we-arent-losing-easter/article_15a209b0-7c0d-11ea-ad7c-a37ea331f380.html

Presiding Bishop who preached at Royal Wedding offers hope for churchgoers during COVID-19 pandemic

From North Carolina-

The bishop gave his perspective on processing an Easter with no family gatherings and no going to church. Curry likened the feeling to the first Easter: Jesus executed; his followers uncertain where God was; then the miracle of resurrection.

"Easter was about a tragedy that was turned into a triumph; about God working behind the scenes, invisibly, in ways that people didn't know," Curry said. "And if we work together with our God and together with each other we will find our way forward."

Curry gained global fame two years ago for his passion-filled sermon at Prince Harry and Megan's wedding. On Easter Sunday he is set to deliver the sermon at Washington's National Cathedral. But, because of COVID-19, Curry has already recorded it -- on his iPhone to be streamed live Sunday morning.

"So I'll be home, sitting in front of a computer screen, watching the service like everybody else by livestream," Curry said.

More here-

https://abc11.com/presiding-bishop-of-the-episcopal-church-michael-curry-nc-coronavirus-covid-19/6093944/

Idaho Episcopal Bishop On Keeping The Faith During Pandemic: 'We've Never Been Alone'

From Idaho-

As Christians around the world prepare to mark the holiest day on the Christian calendar, many will be worshiping under a shelter-in-place edict. As a result, faith leaders are planning to share an Easter message unlike any other, in the shadow of COVID-19.

"I'm hesitant to say that it's all going to be okay because it might not be for some people; but it can be holy," said Rev. Brian Thom, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho. "It's a time when God may not be more accessible, but we can more aware."

Thom visited with Morning Edition host George Prentice to share stories of sorrow, sacrifice and hope.

More here-

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-episcopal-bishop-keeping-faith-during-pandemic-weve-never-been-alone#stream/0

The Easter of Empty Churches

From Atlantic-

In April of 2019—exactly a year ago next week—flames shot through the roof of Paris’s Notre-Dame cathedral. Before long, the dread became the reality—there would be no Easter at Notre-Dame.
We could hardly have imagined there would be no Easter anywhere in Europe a year later.

The cathedral I serve, the American Cathedral in Paris, has been closed for three weeks now. It will likely be closed until the end of the month. But when we were forced to shut the gates by order of the government, we were hardly alone. This is the Easter of empty churches.

All churches, not just our churches, have been closed throughout Western Europe—the place where Christianity made its Faustian bargain, evolving from a small gathering of socially marginal believers to a dominant civilizational force.

The late Yale historian Jaroslav Pelikan wrote that, during the past 2,000 years, nothing had more forcefully brought forward the fundamental assumptions of each epoch in Western history than “the attempt to come to terms with the meaning of the figure of Jesus of Nazareth.” This, in a simple phrase, is the essence of Easter; on it hangs not hollow claims of privilege or longing for past grandeur, but the central idea of Christianity. But when the doors of the churches are barred, does any compulsion to make sense of Jesus’s story remain?

More here-

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/easter-empty-churches/609694/?fbclid=IwAR3O5LgB3Bzfci1jRCBfJD2u6JIw9VgQiztuctrl6bTu0uQ_VWtcuWB6Xww

Seminaries launch ‘Dial-a-Priest’ to give prayers, last rites to patients so they don't feel alone

From Christian Post-

A pair of Episcopal Church seminaries have launched a hotline in which clergy can give prayers and last rites to people in the hospital over the phone, namely for coronavirus patients for whom access might be limited because of social distancing. 

Virginia Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary launched “Dial-A-Priest” on Tuesday through their joint project, the TryTank Experimental Lab.

The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, director of TryTank, told The Christian Post that he believed the coronavirus pandemic “has brought out in many of us the deep desire to want to help.”

“When a call comes in, it rings at the same time to all of the volunteers currently logged into the system,” explained Lebrija, who noted that at present “Dial-A-Priest” had around 100 volunteers “on the system,” plus 70 who were on a wait list.

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/seminaries-launch-dial-a-priest-to-give-prayers-last-rites-to-patients-so-they-dont-feel-alone.html

I Dare Police To Stop Me – Anglican Archbishop Says As He Holds Church Service Amid Lockdown

From Nigeria-

Archbishop of the Enugu Province and Bishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, yesterday, said the Province will not shut any of its branches over the Coronavirus pandemic.

He said shutting the church at a time like this would mean giving the devil an opportunity to ravage the people and the country, Sun News reports.

Chukwuma faulted the order of government to close churches and places of worship. He said it is unfortunate and wrong to categorise church and worship centres with drinking parlours, night clubs, markets and companies.

The cleric said he would not shut the churches because he is not the owner, as the church belongs to Jesus Christ, adding that if people were stopped from “running to their God in worship in a time like now the whole world is in confusion, where would they run to for safety, help and deliverance?”

More here-

https://sundiatapost.com/i-dare-police-to-stop-me-anglican-archbishop-says-as-he-holds-church-service-amid-lockdown/

Members desert Anglican, Catholic churches ahead of Easter

From Nigeria-

Members of Anglican and Catholic and Anglican churches in Anambra State are deserting their worship places ahead of the Easter period due to the ravaging threat of Coronavirus otherwise called COVID-19.

The churches shut their doors to their members last Sunday and resorted to Facebook and Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) radio broadcast to preach their sermons and directed their adherents to hook on to social media networks and on-air platforms.

At Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Awka, where Palm Sunday Service was held to mark the final week of Lent and herald Easter Sunday, Archbishop of the Province on the Niger, Alexandar Ibezim defended the worshipers’ action, saying the Church asked them to stay away from service in line with government’s directives.

More here-

https://guardian.ng/news/members-desert-anglican-catholic-churches-ahead-of-easter/

COVID-19 takes its toll on pastoral care

From Connecticut-

For many, the practice of religion is centered around a sense of community. COVID-19 has ripped that away from mosques on Fridays, temples on Saturdays and Christian churches on Sundays, with services going online in some form for the time being.

But there’s another aspect to the practice of religion that has taken on a different form lately: pastoral care. These days, clergy either aren’t visiting their parishioners in their homes or at hospitals or are doing it on only an emergency basis.

“Part of why so many of us wanted to be ordained clergy is because we love the personal connections,” said the Rev. Tuesday Rupp, pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Woodbury. “For me, I experience my faith and relationship to God largely in my relationships with other people. It is really, really difficult right now in a lot of ways.”

More here-

 https://www.rep-am.com/local/localnews/2020/04/06/in-addition-to-communal-worship-covid-19-takes-its-toll-on-pastoral-care/

Montana church leaders adjusting to COVID-19 impacts

From Montana-

The pews at Montana churches are usually filled with faithful during Holy Week, but COVID-19 concerns have made religious leaders rethink the way they deliver messages.

"We’ve been using every technological means possible," said Bishop Laurie Jungling of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

From live-streaming services to meeting with other churches over the Internet, Covid -19 is not slowing religious leaders down.

"Strangely it may be the busiest I’ve ever been," said Bishop Michael Warfel of the Catholic Diocese of Great Falls-Billings.

Episcopal Bishop Marty Stebbins was ordained in December 2019. Previously she worked as a veterinarian with a specialty in epidemiology and infectious disease. She was preparing for high tech worship before Coronavirus came to Big Sky Country.

"When we started having cases near Montana I had a discussion with the clergy about starting to practice virtual services," said Bishop Stebbins.

More here-

https://www.krtv.com/news/local-news/great-falls-news/montana-church-leaders-adjusting-to-coronavirus-impacts

Thank you, drive through, amen; Lebanon church offers unusual Palm Sunday service due to coronavirus

From Oregon-

Florence Christ drove into the parking lot at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Lebanon and rolled down her car window. “Are we your first customers?” she asked.

Her husband Kenneth Christ, in the passenger seat, leaned forward to peek around her and get a better look at the makeshift altar on the sidewalk by the house of worship.

Priests and church leaders were gathered outside. The church organist Ray Hendricks also was there, playing hymns on an electronic keyboard, safe from clouds under a sky blue pop-up canopy.

After exchanging pleasantries, Rev. A.J. Buckley, clad in a surgical-style mask and gloves, used a grabber tool to pick up a plastic bag that included a palm frond folded in the shape of a cross, as well as the church bulletin and Bible readings for the day. Mindful of keeping six feet away, Buckley used the grabber to transfer the items into the car.

More here-

https://lebanon-express.com/news/local/thank-you-drive-through-amen-lebanon-church-offers-unusual-palm-sunday-service-due-to-coronavirus/article_b4b0b2fd-4282-5ad9-a263-051b5da0b2f6.html

Churches connect for Holy Week during time of pandemic

From New Hampshire-

Heading into Holy Week churches are deploying various means to keep their congregations connected to each other, and God.

“Even though we are really isolated we are being really intentional about being connected,” said Rev. Elsa Worth pastor of St. James Episcopal Church in Keene.

People are in need and really looking for some sort of spiritual connection, Worth said. Her church’s approach has not been on worship services so much as on shepherding the flock, she said.

“A little bit more pastoral and addressing people’s anxiety,” she said. “It’s a terrible time and people are having a terrible time emotionally. … It’s a time of lament and we’re not used to lament. … This is hard, people are dying all over the world and we have systems that are not addressing this that well.”

More here-

https://www.concordmonitor.com/Churches-across-the-state-grapple-with-season-of-exile-ahead-of-holy-week-33721478

NYC church has a unique way of lifting the city’s spirits

From New York (with video)-

It’s music to anxious New Yorkers’ ears.

Although St. George’s Episcopal in Gramercy Park closed its doors three weeks ago in the wake of the coronavirus, the church is still lifting the spirits of the neighborhood with pealing chimes.

“Church bells are historically rung to call people to prayer, in times of celebration, and in times of sadness,” Reverend Jacob Andrew Smith told The Post. “We wanted to specifically play some comforting songs that reminded us [of hope] during sadness. We’re tapping into the tradition to ring the bells during a tragedy — I would say we’re in a time of tragedy.”

So every day — at 9am, 10am, 3pm and 6pm — electronic bells ring out songs of comfort, including traditional hymns.

More here-

https://nypost.com/2020/04/04/nyc-church-has-a-unique-way-of-lifting-the-citys-spirits/

Wyoming churches begin receiving Episcopal foundation donations for COVID-19 relief

From Wyoming-

Two weeks after pledging $1 million to the state’s Episcopal churches in support of relief for those negatively impacted by COVID-19, The Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming has mailed $460,000 of that grant to the 46 Episcopal churches in Wyoming. As needs evolve in the coming weeks and months, the remaining $540,000 of the initial grant, as well as any additional contributions to the fund will be allocated.

In Glenrock, The Rev. Leigh Earle of Christ Episcopal Church said many will have input into how its $10,000 is used in the community.

“We have asked our elected vestry and our outreach committee to vote on it, but we want the whole congregation to pray during Holy Week about what they think we ought to do,” Earle said Friday. “Right now, we hope to set up a Zoom meeting with the vestry and the outreach committee on Monday, April 13, to discuss it and vote, so that everybody in our congregation has the opportunity to tell us what they want to do.”

More here-

https://www.bluemountaineagle.com/life/national/wyoming-churches-begin-receiving-episcopal-foundation-donations-for-covid-19-relief/article_4b7ef7b3-d5ec-5e2c-a624-ec93929a0634.html