ZOOM BOOM: The Path to Heaven May Be Paved with Free Video Conferencing Software

The headline is tongue in cheek, but on a practical basis at least it isn’t far from the truth.  Numerous local churches and temples were contacted by The Bedford Citizen for a two-part article querying leaders about what is being done in their organizations in response to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

Zoom (www.zoom.us),  the free video-conferencing and messaging application that simplifies virtual meetings across any device, is being used by nearly all of the congregations (and many other local organizations) in Bedford to take the place of in-person services, programs, and even counseling sessions.  Creative videos and YouTube also figure prominently in the ways in which leaders and members are exploring how to stay in touch and be supportive of one another during this period.

(For readers wishing to use Zoom to access services and meetings, you must begin by downloading Zoom to your device.  Zoom is free with restrictions for time and number of simultaneous users but can be upgraded for a fee.)

First Church of Christ, Congregational; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Temple Shalom-Emeth (Burlington) and First Parish Unitarian-Universalist Church are talked about in today’s article.  The Bedford Citizen is reaching out to St. Michael’s Catholic Church; Boston Grace Church; First Baptist Church; Wat Boston Buddha Vararam; Lutheran Church of the Savior; and Immanuel Baptist Church and will report on them shortly.

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In addition to seeking information as to how congregations are operating, leaders were also asked about their biggest concerns as they contemplate an uncertain future where it is not clear how long restrictions will remain in place and how member needs may evolve.

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, CONGREGATIONAL

Looking into the sanctuary at First Church of Christ, Congregational – Image (c) JMcCT, 2014

Pastor John Castricum of First Church of Christ reported that church services will continue to be through a live feed to Bedford TV at 10 am on Sunday mornings.  Castricum said that he is (as of this writing) willing to meet in his office with individuals who have no symptoms if needed; appointments must be made through the church office.

Current church members are already part of an email list that is receiving frequent short meditations selected by Pastor Castricum for this period.  Others may be added to this list by either calling the church office or sending an email.  First Church has put together a “care team” which can respond to members and others in need of things like grocery pick-up and delivery.  The office phone is being monitored regularly but callers may experience some delay in getting a response.

Castricum expressed particular concern about the likely cancellation of Holy Week services (April 5-12).  “That will be hard for people,” he said.  At this point, he thinks that if the congregation cannot gather on Easter a virtual service (details not yet known) will be held and perhaps a “second Easter” would be celebrated whenever people can again meet.  “If we can’t meet, it won’t feel like Easter. We may have to re-define Easter.”

Ongoing, Castricum is concerned not only with people’s health and survival, but for the long-term effects of isolation.  “I really understand church as community,” he said.  “It’s about being together in person.  In my experience, when there is community that is where God can be found most powerfully.  You can Zoom all you want, but there is no substitute for that.”

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Scouts, Scout Leaders, and Clergy at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Services at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will be offered via a live webcast beginning March 15. A small number of people, including Rev. Chris Wendell, will gather to conduct the service while maintaining social distance (as of this writing).  The link to the service is available on St. Paul’s home page.

Zoom is being used for committee meetings and programming which includes pre-school Sunday school, middle school youth group, Lenten programs, and adult education.  The various Zoom links are conveyed over the church email list; there is typically a weekly email update on Wednesdays.

Wendell said that pastoral emergencies can be brought to his attention through email or a phone call.  Single-session Zoom meetings are being used as needed.  At the present time, he is not conducting in-person appointments.

Contemplating the longer-term, Wendell said “Our call to be a faith community does not end when we have to do it differently.  Parishioners are stepping up…they care about their community and want our church to continue to thrive and carry out its mission.”  Plans are developing or in place to help those who may be self-quarantining and need help with food pick-up and delivery.

Wendell is also concerned about the health and welfare of those in society he sees as most vulnerable, including the elderly, hourly workers who are losing jobs, people with child-care issues, those who are food-insecure and isolated.   “Caring for these is an important part of our discipleship.”  And like Castricum, Wendell is considering how Holy Week can be meaningfully observed with current restrictions.

Wendell also observed, “Being a person of faith, living with uncertainty is how we live.  Faith can be a great comfort when you are dealing with temporal uncertainty.”

TEMPLE SHALOM-EMETH

Members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Temple Shalom Emeth examine the temple’s Torah scrolls. – Courtesy photograph

Rabbi Susan Abramson reported that she and a cantorial soloist are taping the Friday evening Shabbat service and  she anticipates doing this “for the foreseeable future.”  Abramson said she is encouraging congregants to buy their own wine and candle to share in the blessing of Shabbat at home along with the video.

She also reported that she is “vigorously thinking” about more ways to involve members by using Zoom or other interactive social platforms.  A self-described “obsessive video producer” Abramson enjoys making use of technology for her work.  (Click on the link to see a recently produced piece called “The Corona Virus Bop”, a comedic reminder to all about the importance of thorough hand-washing, https://youtu.be/EVVFav3XcHo)

The day Rabbi Abramson spoke with The Bedford Citizen she was busy re-scheduling bar mitzvah and wedding ceremonies that had been planned for May.  She is available by phone, email, and Facebook.  Facebook has also provided a way for rabbis from all over the country to share ideas and concerns.  “We are learning from each other,” Abramson said.

“We all have to keep our heads above water in this uncertain time.  The best way, in our tradition, is doing “mitzvot” [a Hebrew word referring to good deeds and helping others].  We are fulfilled, happier, and less stressed if we are actively doing something to help others.  My goal is to keep people positively engaged.  Turn off the TV and do something good for somebody.”

FIRST PARISH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

The steeple at First Parish on Bedford Common

John Gibbons, Senior Minister at First Parish Unitarian Universalist,  advises that for the foreseeable future Sunday morning services will be held via Zoom at 10 am.  Anyone who would like to attend may go to the First Parish website and click on the link designated.  Zoom is also being used for most other church activities such as committee meetings and programs, including junior and senior high youth groups and new events like a story hour for young children.  Pastoral care, to the extent possible, is also being done through Zoom.

Food and other necessities for emergency needs are stockpiled at the church and anyone needing help or having questions may call the office or send email.  The church office phone is being monitored and messages may be left there for staff members.

Gibbons spoke of his particular concern for those for whom isolation is especially difficult.  “We are making every attempt to be as responsive as possible.”

First Parish held its first Sunday service using Zoom on March 15th.  One hundred people attended the virtual service which resulted in some being turned away for lack of software capacity.  First Parish has since upgraded its Zoom license to accommodate more attendees.  Asked to comment, parishioners who used Zoom for recent services said that they found the new tool easy to work with and some expressed pleased surprise that a high-tech service could be satisfying even if they were unable to enjoy one another’s company.

Asked to consider the overall situation, Gibbons said, “We are living in extraordinary and unprecedented times.  How do we bring out the best in our congregation and beyond?  How can we facilitate ways for people to be human during these times?”

It is perhaps worth noting that consistent in all the discussion leading up to this article was the commitment to the continuation of the respective missions of these churches and temple.  Shutting down did not appear to be even a consideration, but rather how fast and how best to adapt to the changing needs of the community amid the Covid-19 situation.  There was a common recognition that technical and volunteer solutions put in place today will almost surely need to be modified as the Covid-19 crisis continues to evolve.

Connections

Due to the fluid nature of events right now, readers are advised to check BeTC (the Bedford Town Calendar maintained by The Citizen), individual websites, email contacts or call the telephone number provided for up-to-the-minute information from each organization.

First Church of Christ, Congregational
Senior Pastor: Rev. John Castricum
Office: 781-275-7951
Email: [email protected]
Website:  firstchurchbedford.wordpress.com

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Chris Wendell
Office: 781-275-8262
Email: [email protected]
Website: stpaulsbedford.org

Temple Shalom Emeth
Rabbi Susan Abramson
Office: 781-272-2351
Email: [email protected]
Website: shalom-emeth.org

The First Parish in Bedford, Unitarian Universalist
Senior Minister: John Gibbons
Office:  781-275-7994
Email:  [email protected]
Website: uubedford.org

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