Pop Top Jesus
Prefilled communion cups with juice and wafer by Celebrate Communion. (Courtesy photo)
With a nationwide U.S. “shelter-in-place” policy issued for the next 30 days, United Methodists are seriously developing online services for Holy Week and Easter. Week by week, congregations are improving their video and online presentations, resulting in hundreds of viewers topping in-person attendance records.
The practice of Holy Communion remains a sticking point across the connection. In most cases, bishops are discouraging efforts to observe the Eucharist through video and online services. However, some authorities are beginning to loosen restrictions in light of the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Western Jurisdiction bishops say the decision is left to the pastor’s discretion. They acknowledge that Holy Communion is a means of grace in the Wesleyan tradition, and that the anxiety of the current pandemic produces deeper longings for the reassurance the Eucharist brings. The bishops counsel pastors to study many resources and think deeply about whether "virtual communion" communion is right for their congregations. Western Jurisdiction bishops also offer guidance on how to offer consecrated elements and prepare congregations theologically for a deeper understanding of communion.
Indiana Area Bishop Julius C. Trimble has granted permission to pastors in his episcopal area to perform online communion and provided specific instructions. Bishop Trimble cited the guidance of his colleagues, Bishops Frank Beard of Illinois Great Rivers, Tracy S. Malone of East Ohio, and Gregory V. Palmer of West Ohio, as resources for his decision. Bishop Beard in particular emphasizes “that this privilege [online communion] is for a season and that there will be a return to traditional practices in accordance with our liturgy as soon as possible.”
Discipleship Ministries also has posted a paper by the Rev. Cynthia Wilson about the issue.
Unfortunately for those who'd like to try online communion using pre-filled cups, one of the suppliers is closed. Celebrate Communion in Washington state posted this notice on its website: "CELEBRATE COMMUNION IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED – By executive order all non-essential businesses must close for a minimum of two weeks, effective immediately. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced the mandatory statewide stay-at-home order 3/23/2020. Due to increased demands the sealed Communion elements are in production and shipments will be released as available after the 2-week closure. All prefilled cups with wafers are backordered until April 28, including the small quantity items, even if link page doesn't announce it."
However, Amazon.com offers a Celebration Cup 100-unit box for $32, but it won't be delivered until Sunday, April 12 – Easter Sunday.
More virtual worship services
Duke University’s famed chapel has joined the ranks of churches offering virtual services, according to an article in the Duke Chronicle. Anna Zolontor reports: “Since Wednesday, March 11, Duke Chapel has been closed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with all in-person services and other events canceled until further notice.” Members of the Duke Chapel community told the Chronicle that they no longer take for granted the ability to worship in the historic sanctuary. Services from March 15 and March 22 posted on YouTube have reached around 2,000 views each, compared to a typical in-person attendance of 450 to 500 people. Like many churches, Duke Chapel's pastoral staff have trimmed services and settings to adapt to the more closed space of a virtual environment.
Churches in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area, including Seattle where the coronavirus apparently entered the USA, stepped up early to online worship. Bishop Elaine J.W. Stanovsky’s website publishes an extensive list of churches worshiping online in Alaska, Pacific Northwest and Oregon-Idaho conferences. The list has proved to be such a public service it was included in a list of local online worship by Spokane FAVs (Faith, Values, Community), a website published by former religion reporter Tracy Simmons.
COVID-19 Deaths
The COVID-19 pandemic struck United Methodism's connections last week with the announced deaths of two retired clergy from the New York Annual Conference, the Rev. Sherrie Dobbs Johnson, wife of retired Bishop Alfred Johnson, and the Rev. James Veatch. The Rev. Jeff Wells of Church in the Village sent a remembrance of Rev. Dobbs Johnson. New York City has become the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.
Media Mentions as of March 30, 2020
A note about media mentions: Readers will find lots more links to articles that don’t necessarily refer to United Methodists. That’s because all faiths are responding to the COVID-19 global catastrophe from their own traditions and many of their responses are instructive for others. There’s also a sense of shared experience in the reports.
Churches Find Unorthodox Ways To Minister During Coronavirus Crisis – easternshorepost.com
Community finds unity during confinement in the sound of bells each night – The Westerly Sun
LAC/UMC Constitutes Task Force to Combat COVID-19 – Liberian Daily Observer
Food banks, soup kitchens helping people affected by COVID-19 outbreak – WSOC Charlotte
Prayers voiced, bells rung in response to crisis – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Faith communities find ways to connect, serve in spite of social distancing – Denton Record Chronicle
Disaster Agency, Red Cross Advance Efforts to Contain Coronavirus in Liberia – Front Page Africa
COVID-19: Religious Leaders Call for Unity and Humanity – Lasentinel
As states crack down on gatherings, some religious exemptions could keep pews full – ABC News
Hundreds at Louisiana church flout COVID-19 gatherings ban – The Associated Press
How religious groups are gathering without gathering– NBC News
As coronavirus keeps parishioners homebound, Christian clergy debate online Communion– Religion News Service
Churchgoers all over world ignore physical distancing advice – The Guardian
‘We find ourselves afraid.’ The pope confronts coronavirus – The New York Times *
The gospel in a time of social distancing – The New Yorker *
The Power Of Passover During A Plague – The New York Times *
These Days I Preach To An Empty Room. But I See My Church Clearer Than Ever – The Washington Post *
A sermon on COVID-19 and Climate Change – Religion News Service
LCC Finally Announces Suspension of Church Services – Liberian Daily Observer
Holy Land churches, mosques, synagogues close for coronavirus – Religion News Service
COVID-19 is one of America's greatest trials. What can we learn from it? – Religion News Service
As coronavirus death toll mounts, faith leaders the world over grapple with funerals – Religion News Service
Our moral obligation to health during the COVID-19 pandemic – Religion News Service
Initiator of school prayer guidelines, a professor, calls for national day of repentance – Religion News Service
With coronavirus concerns, sales of up for prepackaged communion cups and wafers – Religion News Service
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Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.