Worship services continue despite COVID-19 threat

Editor’s Note: Worship is resuming with some Catholic and Protestant churches across regions and racial groups. Church leaders are bracing for a surge of COVID-19 cases as millions across the United States and beyond remain hungry for in-person connection with fellow believers. A recent New York Times article highlights the pros and cons of church members meeting as a congregation. The risk of infection, even while wearing masks, sanitizing and social distancing remains. Health problems like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol and drug abuse associated with social isolation are also growing. Graduate students in Michael Ray Smith’s online journalism class at Regent University, Virginia Beach, took a look at worship (both online and in-person) in their hometown communities and filed this report.

Church members dressed in yellow, black and aquamarine to celebrate the independence of the Bahamas. Photo by Jannique McDonald.

Bahamas

NASSAU, Bahamas — Close to the shopping district of Nassau, a Caribbean tourist mecca, nearly 40 parishioners wore masks and held Bibles at St. Agnes Anglican Church to attend services during the July Fourth weekend.

St. Agnes is one of thousands of churches that re-opened for worship this month although leadership there and across the U.S. and beyond is sensitive to COVID-19. 

“This pandemic wasn’t going to stop me from worshipping the Lord this morning!” said Patricia Rolle, a member for four years at St. Agnes, as she walked through the church’s entrance.

Rolle waited patiently as members signed in and had their temperature checked to make sure no fevers were present. They sanitized their hands. The congregation fell into worship with shouts of hallelujah while maintaining social distancing, avoiding handshakes and hugs.

The church celebrated not just reopening but also the 47th anniversary of the Bahama’s independence, marked traditionally on July 10. Flags showing the Bahamian colors black, yellow and aquamarine hung from the church ceiling. Participants wore black, yellow and blue outfits, some with matching brightly colored masks.

The congregation then stood, joyfully singing the country’s national anthem: “Lift up your heads to the rising sun Bahama Land.”

Archdeacon Keith Cartwright noted that the church holds up to 700 people, but with social distancing, it can only accommodate 150 people each service.

“As Christians, we have become accustomed to being close to one another in the seats and pews,” he said. “However, to mitigate against the virus, we have marked the pews so that persons can sit at least six feet apart.”

Georgia

ATLANTA — In Georgia, All Nations Worship Assembly—Atlanta also held services this month.

“It’s something about when everyone gathers in one place to worship God, to know that we have practically been in quarantine for the last four months is very scary and annoying, but it hasn’t stopped our worship,” said Lashondra Spears, a member of the church.

The leadership worked to make sure members could worship safely with masks and social distancing while experiencing worship.

Labryant Friend, pastor of All Nations Worship Assembly—Atlanta, said the number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Atlanta and some churches haven’t been capable of even providing an online experience for their members.

“I’m not sure how I will feel about Georgia going back in quarantine, and what the reality will be for our church as a whole,” said Justin Foster, another church member.

Foster and others wonder what’s next. Friend is concerned, too.

“How do we prepare for the unknown?” Friend asked. “It’s really hard to say what my vision is for the next month or even remaining year, but my team and I have created phases we will process through of how our church will come back together again.”

Despite the uncertainty, Friend is hopeful. 

“We don’t know what will take place next, but we are going to try our hardest to create the spaces for everyone near and far to experience God,” he said.

Michigan

ROYAL OAK, Mich. — Deep in the Midwest in Royal Oak, Mich., members of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica continue to live-stream their services, although a few congregants attend in person. 

While the church can accommodate up to 700 people, on this particular Sunday in July, only 125 people attended or about 18% of capacity.

The Rev. Mark Livingston conducted the homily, announcing, “I’m Father Mark Livingston; I’m your new associate pastor here and I’m so glad to be here with you today.” The congregation met him with applause. 

Like other churches, the Little Flower Basilica has to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines regarding seating and receiving the Eucharist. Also, holding or shaking hands during prayers or “peace be with you” greetings are banned until further notice.

“I have no problem with it,” said Mick Rizzo, a regular visitor, concerning the wearing of masks. “I am just disappointed in people who don’t. I wear a mask because I feel like it’s not all about me.”

Florida 

JACKSONVILLE — A little more than 450 miles from Nassau in Jacksonville, Fla., is Abundant Life Church of God in Christ where members donned masks to worship together.

“This physical building is not the church but we are,” said the Rev. Milton Harmon, Jr, pastor of Abundant Life Church of God in Christ.

Harmon said necessary precautions are followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including required hand sanitizing and sitting two seats apart. Most parishioners are grateful to meet again.

“I know what my God can do,” said Ophelia Mitchell-Simmons, a member of Abundant Church. “COVID may have restricted us from doing several things, but I know God will turn everything around.”

While she spoke, children nearby yanked at their masks. Some let their masks hang loosely.

“I will follow social distancing and follow face mask protocols while attending church services or working,” said Kevin Hill, a minister and member of Abundant Church of God in Christ. “But we have to believe and know who the ultimate healer is in these troubling times.”

Despite the worry, church members hugged each other one by one and enjoyed their service.

Rev. William P. Wiggins Sr, the bishop of New Mount Joy church in Suffolk, Virginia, preached in the parking lot to a socially distanced congregation in their cars. Photo by Chandler Sherrod.

Virginia

SUFFOLK, Va. — More than 800 miles from Nassau in Suffolk, Va., members of New Mount Joy met for their first face-to-face service in early July—outside. Most members sat in their cars as if they were in a drive-in. The Rev. William P. Wiggins Sr., the bishop, and others worked to get the services open while keeping members safe.

“Our normal Sunday service would be to gather inside, have praise and worship; I would then speak the word for about two hours and then after that, we fellowshipped,” he said. “But because of COVID-19 and the increase of cases, we have service outside.”

COVID-19 cases in Virginia continued to increase this month, with Suffolk having a total of 635 cases and 29 deaths from the virus. No cases have been reported in the church. As their number of worshippers increase, the church continues to sanitize inside their building weekly, even though outside service is being held.

“It’s awesome to be able to get out during this time and spend time together worshipping and praising God, even if it’s in our cars,” said White, who is a deacon and has been attending the church for 24 years. “I actually enjoy the outside service, it’s really nice and refreshing especially on a nice Sunday morning, it is truly a blessing to be able to impact people from their cars.”

Despite the uncertainty of the pandemic, the church members are happy and hopeful, encouraging one another.

“We’ve never done this before,” explained Wiggins. “This church has been here for 30 years and it’s the first time we brought the word and worship outdoors while still staying safe; it’s exciting.”

Jannique McDonald reported from Nassau; Arkeshia R. Holmes reported from Jacksonville, Fla.; Chaslyn Piper reported from Atlanta; Chandler Sherrod reported from Suffolk, Va.; and Jennifer Tomina reported from Royal Oak, Mich.