The churches in Outlook have had to make major changes recently to the way they minister to their congregations, but they are working hard to bring hope and connection to the community during this COVID-19 outbreak.
Churches are places of gathering and fellowship and that need for connection is on the mind of Pastor Gord Willison of Outlook Alliance Church. “One of the strengths of a church community is the actual coming together, the physical assembling of believers and seekers,” he said. “Right now our meeting place is online primarily through a newly created Facebook page. Our Sunday messages will be found there.”
Rev. Lauren Miller of St. Mark’s Anglican Church is keeping in touch with members by email and sending out a devotion message, Scripture readings and Collect for each Sunday. Churches in Regina and Moose Jaw are preparing online services and all are being encouraged to connect with the broader Anglican church community online where they can access additional prayer and worship services.
St. Andrew’s United Church had already put strict precautions in place for their March 15 worship service and congregational lunch, but by the next day their church board suspended all activities in keeping with federal and provincial authorities. Rev. Ron McConnell said he doesn’t think of himself as much of a techie, but “the circumstances of this time have led me to record regular, short videos on my reflections that are then uploaded onto our church’s Facebook page. The texts of these reflections are sent out as well in our E-News emails.”
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church the congregation is continuing to worship, thanks to a live stream service on their webpage at bethlehemoutlook.com.
Pastor Mac de Waal and Commissioned Lay Minister Lila de Waal said, “People have told us that they felt like we were together when they worshipped with the livestream.” Sunday school lessons are being emailed to families each week, and Bible study, confirmation classes and discipleship groups are all meeting virtually. Minister Lila said, “It is a little strange to sit in a room alone and at the same time be together with others, but it is working.”
Rev. McConnell noted that the requirements for physical distancing and self-isolation apply to ministers and priests as they do to everyone else. Visiting people in homes, hospitals or care homes is prohibited, unless arrangements are made for end of life care, so he is looking for other ways to connect. “I have been working from home and using the phone to call members of the congregation, having pastoral visits in this way,” he indicated.
Warren Read said the congregation at Outlook Christian Fellowship is staying connected by praying for one another and keeping in contact by phone, something the lay leaders at the Anglican church are doing as well. The Lutheran Church pastors are phoning members and also encouraging them to call each other and assist where help is needed. Pastor deWaal said, “This is a time of physical isolation not social isolation. Nothing stops us from taking care of each other even as we follow the directions the government has given us for social distancing.”
Churches always strive to reach beyond their walls, but this moment can be an important time for faith communities to have an impact. Pastor Willison remarked. “We are trying to emphasize to the church to not only look out for one another in their faith community but see this as a particularly special time to reach out to our neighbours with a message of love, service and hope that we know in Jesus. Those who are alone, elderly, poor, weak need the support a faith community can bring.”
Although COVID-19 has changed the way these ministers are delivering their message, the message remains the same. Minister de Waal explained, “Our role as ministers is to point people to Jesus. Over and over again Jesus tells us “Do not be afraid”. We want to remind everyone that even though this is a difficult time, God is still watching out over us. God is still there. God has not changed. We will adapt to the instructions that are given to us. We will do everything we can to protect and care for the most vulnerable and for all of society. God wants us to do our part in caring for this world. But while we do that, we will give thanks to God for his many blessings and put our trust in him.”
Rev. Miller points to the season of Lent, these weeks leading up to Easter, as a place that offers tremendous hope. “As we reflect on the Lenten message we recall how during that first Lent the early disciples were also suddenly thrown into a time of confusion, grief, and despair. Their world changed and they had no idea if and when it would ever return to normal. They had to adapt to new realities that were thrust upon them. Slowly they came to realize the power of the Easter message--life comes out of death! Not always suddenly, and certainly not without pain and suffering. However, our Saviour leads the way and will guide each and every one of us through our times in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.”
Pastor Willison shared, “As church leaders it is important to, as best we can, walk in faith and remind people that though the world is constantly changing before us, God hasn’t changed and He is the One who will guide us through. We aren’t locked in and can still get out and around so let us consider our neighbours’ needs as we consider our own. Love will help us overcome fear.”
Rev. McConnell says he will continue to focus on the Good News of the Gospel. “In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, an abiding, unshakeable truth has been revealed to us and all the world. The truth that we are not alone. That God is with us, both when we must ride-out the storms of life and when we by grace find ourselves again sailing on calm seas. These are anxious times, understandably. Perhaps faith seems more elusive now, but remember this. The opposite of faith is not doubt. There’s nothing wrong with some healthy doubt, which often leads to deeper insight and new understanding. The opposite of faith is fear. When we think and speak and act in fear, often we strike-out and do some awful, damaging things to ourselves, to others, and to the community. So, be not anxious – or be as little anxious as you can be. Each day, ask for God’s help. Do your best to live by faith and not by fear.”
The message conveyed by Warren Read is one that echoes many. “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in these trying times,” he said. “God willing, it will be over soon.”
