St. James Church in the Times of COVID-19
Submitted by Beverly Jeeves
Can you believe it has been over a year since the first cases of Covid-19 appeared in Canada? It has been a year since restrictions, lockdowns, wearing masks, and staying six feet apart becoming the “new normal.” Did anyone think that we would still be in the midst of this pandemic one-year later.
While society has adapted to “curb side pick-up” and “working from home,” it is the loss of gatherings that has affected society the most. Restrictions limiting social gatherings have affected funerals. The human need to comfort one another through hugs or the touch of a hand is a primary human need. Fellowship hours; face-to-face meetings with spiritual leaders, we all feel those losses. The video face of a loved-one is not the same as a comforting hug or shoulder to cry on. Joyous traditions of weddings, baptisms, receptions and toasting the bride and groom are not the same “virtually.”
We are all affected in one way or another, but it is our most vulnerable, our senior citizens, and homeless, children who have learning challenges, or people with addictions, residents of long-term care facilities. How do we address their spiritual needs?
A congregant’s recent conversation with an Executive Director of a long term care (LTC) facility brought them to tears. The residents of LTC have lost their friends, staff, and roommates, without the chance to mourn, to gather, to remember or receive guidance. External programs for music, games, dances, adult day care programs have stopped. Until EVERYONE is vaccinated and science catches up to the “Variants of Concern (VOC)”, this group will remain vulnerable, as well as dedicated essential workers, the caregivers to our vulnerable, the recreation staff, the ministers, the teachers – and the list goes on.
But with challenges, comes innovation and ideas across society. Many churches in the City of Kawartha Lakes are reaching out to their congregations by way of YouTube and live streaming. Congregations are using Zoom, or Google Meet for meetings, services and bible studies. It all sounds so easy – you just need a computer.
St. James Anglican Church Fenelon Falls has been researching the cost and benefits of a ”virtual church platform” above; while trying to meet the spiritual needs of its own congregation and the extended community.
St. James has been long known for their “Lasagna Loonie Suppers”, bi-annual fashion shows. These events are huge fundraisers for St. James, and bring customers into Fenelon’s local shops as they explore the culture and traditional heritage of the community. St. James is figuring out how to reinvent these events virtually so that it can survive society’s “new normal.”
St. James is the home of the Kawartha Singers, “Grannies for Grannies” Music-a-thon, and “Friday Night Jams” and a Community Care program. Other churches in town provide Youth Programs, host Community Care, and provide space for Alcoholic Anonymous. A church is not just a place for once a week services, but is historically the heart of a community. St. James is reaching out to other churches, through the Association of churches and to other community partners. Together we can meet the spiritual needs of everyone.
St. James is currently streaming its’ Sunday Services on YouTube, which can be accessed on their Facebook page “Parish of Fenelon Falls and Coboconk” or on it’s webpage at www.fenelonanglican.com
Communications Committee
St. James Anglican Church Fenelon Falls.
