Keeping the faith
The pillars of our daily lives underwent a swift re-vamp amid the current world crisis, and we may be seeing a renewal of faith across the globe.
Local houses of worship saw much change in recent weeks, with the biggest one being the need for social distancing. But as a number of services continue online, faith communities are drawing closer together, though physically apart.
Rabbi Ilene Haigh, of Congregation Shir Shalom in Woodstock, said the love expressed in online gatherings and through the community has been deeply inspiring.
"Amazingly, our congregation feels strong and more connected than ever," she said.
Their online gatherings have led to a boost in attendance, across the board for Shir Shalom. Fifty people came to the weekly Friday gathering last week on Zoom, and Haigh is seeing more teenagers and children as well.
"I had twice as many kids in Hebrew School as I did last week," she said. "They're making more connections with each other."
She said the Shir Shalom community from near and far has taken part in online gatherings, including from Washington State, Texas, Florida and states throughout the country.
There have been a number of moving moments throughout this time. On March 27, WUHS graduate Ali Dagger, who grew up going to Shir Shalom, graced the congregation during an online gathering, with the song, "We Shall Overcome," performed on guitar. She also called on people to share what they would overcome, and modified the verses to include those inspirations.
"I don't think there's anybody who wasn't crying," Haigh recalled. "It was beautiful."
Rev. Leon Dunkley, pastor of the North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock, said although much of the communication these days is non-verbal, there’s a lot of love being expressed.
“From what I can see, we’re responding with love, courage and community,” Dunkley said. While it’s tough to be physically apart from people, he added, we’re all sharing the same feelings of concern.
“In a sense, it’s a chance to walk into the great unknown together.”
Dunkley said North Chapel has had three online services on Zoom so far, ranging in attendance from 383 people, to the first one, which drew about 700.
“It’s a new territory,” he said. “There’s a lot of gratitude being expressed around the stories that ground us and let us remember that, despite our distance, we’re still connected with one another.”
Father Mike Augustinowitz, of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Woodstock, keeps in touch with his parishioners by phone every day, using that time “to stay connected,” while all celebrations of Mass, sacraments and devotions remain suspended until further notice.
“I think it’s important for the church to call,” he said, adding he’s available to help parishioners if there’s anything they need. But, just the regular interaction by phone is an important reassurance for many. There is also a weekly email that goes out to 150 parishioners.
Augustinowitz said he misses not having people in the church, and for everyone, when there are no masses on Palm Sunday or Easter, the new reality will set in even more.
“It’ll really hit them then,” he said. On Palm Sunday, April 5, blessed palms will be left at the back of the church for people to pick up.
He still celebrates the daily Mass, though it’s just him in the church. That helps him through the day, though Augustinowitz misses having people there.
“Doing the daily Masses and the daily prayer, that’s very strengthening,” he said. “That’s what continues to strengthen me.”
Shir Shalom has also reached out to all members of their congregation by phone, since not everyone has internet access. Haigh said they are putting out another round of calls this week, to maintain those connections and check in on people.
Amid so much change, Haigh is asking people in the congregation to "dig deep", each day, for five blessings and shift their focus to those for part of their day.
Haigh recalled a quote from the Bible, "Make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among you." She connected that to the online services: "We're able to make that sanctuary virtually, there's no barrier."
Shir Shalom will hold its annual Community Seder online at 6 p.m. on April 8, to which everyone is welcome. Seder is the Jewish celebration of liberation after being rescued from slavery in Egypt.
"It's particularly poignant this year,” Haigh said.
Dunkley also reaches his congregation by phone regularly, and through these and other interactions, he sees people thirsting for connections amid the current social distancing.
“When the mail person comes by, we explode with joy,” he said. “There aren’t gatherings, but it’s clear people want to be together.”
Amid this “new normal,” Dunkley recognized those who can’t stay home because they provide essential services for the rest of us. For example, he mentioned the oil delivery man who has to come and fill up the tank.
“That is the most noble, life-affirming thing that we do.”
He noted the musicians putting out “beautiful gestures of faith” and expressing love through song.
“That’s who we are,” Dunkley said, adding that bodes well for the future. “Maybe we’ll ‘get back to the garden,’ as Joni (Mitchell) says.”
For sure, there have been different approaches to continuing worship within this rapidly changing world. But the commonality has been, everyone’s being compelled to take stock of the things that matter the most, throughout the world. That’s powerful, and increased faith in each other’s love and innate goodness will lead us forward.
— Gareth Henderson
