In difficult times, local clergy still want to ‘see’ you
These days, instead of going to church on Sundays, church is coming to you.
With the mandated shut down of large gatherings, and the new need for ‘social distancing,’ most church services in the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery-Cornwall communities have temporarily closed.
Some area churches have found a way to hold weekly services, via their websites and Facebook Live sessions.
An example:
The Church of the Holy Innocents has held ‘Facebook church’ for the past two weeks. While they are learning as they go — they’ll be improving their quality in the weeks ahead by using a wi-fi extender.
Rev. Judy Ferguson did her Sunday service from the sanctuary of Holy Innocents with the assistance of Carla Burns and Ann Taylor, “staying at least six feet apart at all times”.
No Episcopal churches are holding public services until May 17, but Ferguson added that could change. On Sunday, March 15, the first live-stream service Ferguson said they had 128 hits; this week they had 49.
“That doesn’t say there weren’t more people watching for each hit, but we can’t track that,” she said. “People have told us they are very appreciative and respond back with positive comments. People are kind and supportive. I really think they are looking for ways to stay connected in different areas of their lives, so they don’t feel isolated.”
Grace Baptist Church’s Pastor Steve Snavely and his wife Debbie have also moved online since March 13, with video sermons and bible studies placed on the church’s website (www.gracebaptistny.org) and Facebook page. They are not sure when they’ll resume normal services.
“Let me be clear, our ‘services’ cannot be replicated with internet meetings, and yet, we have found an effective means of communicating the sermons via these videos,” Snavely said. “I plan to record and load sermons each Sunday and Wednesday until we can physically meet together again.”
“I’ve had many people respond positively to these video messages – from people nearby and around the country, and not only people from Grace Baptist,” Snavely said. “In one sense, our ‘attendees’ have actually increased in number! It is very encouraging to see how God has used these recorded sermons to reach people who do not normally attend church … another ‘hidden blessing’ during this difficult time.”
The pastors are missing their congregations, and looking forward to helping in the ways that they can in the weeks ahead.
“Our church family continues to eagerly meet needs when they are made aware of them. For instance, one of our church families had to adhere to personal quarantine due to illness (awaiting test results for COVID-19), and they mentioned the possibility of not having enough food for the two weeks,” Snavely said. “I shared that in my video message Sunday simply in passing, and by that afternoon, one of our church members had already shown up with a bag of groceries, leaving it on my doorstep. Additionally, a member of the Fort Montgomery Fire Dept. (whom I had invited to listen to the sermon) offered some venison for this family. I gathered other food items together and left them on this family’s porch. Since then, two more families have offered food. What a great example of people from our community and our church family quickly responding to a need.”
Ferguson noted that members of the Clergy are first responders, but “in place, which is frustrating”.
“We can call on the phone, write notes and emails, do social media, but we can’t go visit people in their homes, hospitals, nursing care facilities or retirement communities.” Ferguson said.
She said she is offering members of her parish the best resource she can: “prayer and faith in a God who loves us, guides us, is present with us, and walks this scary path with us.”
For those who wish to read it, she says “Psalm 23 is awesome!”
And from Snavely: “We learn in Scripture that God doesn’t want us to react with fear when trials come, but to rest in the peace God has given His children at all times. My first recorded message from Psalm 46:1-3 reminds us our God is personal, powerful, and permanent.”
(Editor’s Note: Check the Facebook pages of area churches, or their websites, for more information on their online services. All are welcome to watch, and when the isolation period ends, stop by in person at your favorite church! MJP)
