Keep the faith (and health)

Presently, the hymnals at the Newton Congregational United Church of Christ are not used for singing praises. Since worshippers are prohibited from entering the church during Sunday service, Rev. Jessica Petersen uses the thick, theological texts to steady her iPhone while she broadcasts her sermons electronically.

Such practices are common after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered churches, restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses to close in March, hoping to mitigate spread of COVID-19.

Two weeks ago, Reynolds lifted those same restrictions on religious and spiritual gatherings in Iowa’s 99 counties, “so long as churches and other gathering hosts implement reasonable health measures.” However, he decision to reopen is ultimately up to the individual religious spaces.

For now, Petersen will still be using hymnals as makeshift support posts.

“We will not gather in person,” Petersen said. “I would much rather error on the side of caution to provide for the safety and security of my congregation members … I still think it’s way too early. We’re still learning all kinds of new things about this virus. My greatest concern is for the life of my congregation members.”

Of those churches choosing to remain closed will do so until the end of May, or possibly June. Data from the state and public health officials will likely help determine when the churches reopen.

Even though restrictions had been in place for nearly two months, churches in town have continued to hold Sunday services, albeit in a much different format. Both Facebook Live and Zoom conference calls have helped folks like Petersen to broadcast live services to worshippers or conduct Bible studies.

Petersen said it was a “learn as you go” process, taking note of what works and what was less successful. Facebook Live seemed like a good method until Petersen learned some churchgoers did not have internet or have poor quality broadband. Zoom, on the other hand, allowed a fair amount of those folks to tune in on their phones.

So, Petersen uses both, and posts virtual bulletins on the church’s website.

“We do what we can,” she said. “It’s become a more natural kind of thing. I’ve gotten used to this. I’ve been doing this since March 15, so I’ve been getting some pretty decent practice at it.”

After-service, in-person fellowship was expected to take a hit, too. Petersen put an extra emphasis on maintaining her church’s community during the pandemic. Worshippers developed “caring calling crews” to check on their fellow community members every so often to stay connected.

“That has been a really good thing that’s come from all of this,” Petersen said. “We’re staying connected in a little more intentional way rather than saying, ‘Well, I’ll just see them on Sunday.’”

Pastor Daniel Provost of Our Savior Lutheran Church misses those in-person interactions the most. The Lutheran pastor of 16 years has never experienced extended cancellations Sunday service. The closest comparison he could make was when his church service in Minnesota was cancelled due to a flood.

"That was just one Sunday," he said. "We want them to come back but only if they feel it's safe for them. The last thing we want is somebody to come and then be concerned about it, but on the other hand we want to — as soon as we can — get back to in-person service so long as it's safe."

Provost, the president of the church and its elders are meeting this week to discuss a final decision about how and whether to open for service during May. The pastor said “it feels like an eternity” has passed by since the last in-person worship. The Lutheran church, too, has adapted to online services in the interim.

Using Sermon.net, Provost is able attract the same viewership online as he does a typical Sunday, maybe even a little more. He attributes that bump in viewership to participants outside congregation. Most members are able to take advantage of the online medium, but there’s no replacing typical worship practices.

“We’re anxious to get back to services in-person because it’s just not the same,” Provost said. “One of the big things, for us, is we can’t celebrate the communion online, obviously.”

Rev. Meghan Davis of First Presbyterian Church of Newton knows the feeling. Religious leaders and churchgoers have had to make several theological compromises, but she said it is for the benefit of public health and safety. Since the pandemic, Davis agreed there is more of an emphasis on keeping religious communities healthy and connected.

When church leaders do feel its the right time to reopen to the public, Davis said things will still feel different. For instance, there will likely be more attention given to hygienic practices and social distancing. Communion, too, may need to be altered in a more appropriately safe way.

Churchgoers’ experiences may gradually go back to normal, but it will take time.

“Certainly, when we first come back we will be discouraging handshaking and we might have only worship and not have fellowship time afterwards — there are a lot of decisions to be made about how we do it,” Davis said. “But it definitely isn’t going to be what we did in February.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com