Ancient Faith, Pandemic Practices

DIOCESAN FAMILY Ancient Faith, Pandemic Practices

Diocesan Churches Continue Ministry Adaptations

BY MARTI PIEPER

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed much about our world and our way of doing church. The celebration of the Eucharist has morphed into new Communion traditions: drive-thru, hand-delivered, in one kind or via pre-intincted wafers. Looking across the Diocese of Central Florida, we see many other changes, some with lasting impact. Out of necessity, sacramental ministry to the dying has become a more common priestly duty during the pandemic. The Rev. Dr. José Rodríguez, vicar of Jesús de Nazaret in Azalea Park, said in this season, he has performed virtual last rites multiple times. “It turns a private blessing into communal prayer,” he said.

‘More Than Attending Worship’ The Rev. Tom Phillips, rector at Incarnation, Oviedo, has also seen the pandemic change the face of his church’s ministry. “I think that being part of a church is of course more than attending worship on Sundays,” he said. “It’s important to be connecting with others relationally, by serving somehow and by giving. Interestingly, all of these things can be done — to some degree — by an online member or attender. We’ve tried to create pathways for that to be the case.” One such pathway is the church’s Wednesday evening programming, now offered both online and in person with what Phillips said often includes equal numbers from both groups. The church has also confirmed an online member, Phillips said. “Our spring membership class (called our DNA class) had an online contingency, and one attender from Ohio requested to come and join the church formally through confirmation. She flew into town and was confirmed by the bishop. This is clearly her home church, even though she attends digitally from Ohio.”

‘New Ways to Be the Church’ The Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, priestin-charge at Holy Cross, Sanford, has also received online members. The church has active worship viewers and givers — some of them members — from eight states and two countries. Smith has done visits and pastoral counseling with both local and online members via phone and FaceTime. Online members Terry and Kathi Thomason, whom he knew from previous ministry in Hawaii, have made a powerful connection with Holy Cross, Smith said. “They had recently moved to Las Vegas, and because of the pandemic they couldn’t go out to find a church.” After discovering Holy Cross online, the couple was soon active in every way possible. So when the church was forming a Parish Discernment Committee for The Rev. Rob Strenth, “I tried to get a little bit creative,” Smith said. Smith said he knew Kathi would “take the role seriously and ask the hard questions” needed. The committee met by Zoom, planning around the time zone challenge. “Kathi did a great job,” he said. “It worked really well.” This June, the Thomasons connected with Holy Cross in person during a Florida vacation. “We blessed their 50th anniversary, and we had a dinner for the Discernment Committee,” Smith said. Despite its forced changes, the pandemic has brought some exciting options, Smith said. “We are finding new ways to be the church.”

Kathi Thomason, Rev. Smith and Terry Thomason celebrate the couple’s 50th anniversary.