Pandemic Religion: A Digital Archive

Pandemic Religion Contributions

Item Set

Items

• Becoming Closer to God in the Midst of Fear

  For as long as I can remember, I have strived to be perfect in nearly every aspect of my life. Between school and personal life, I did my best to be the best and I feel like a lot of my present anxieties stem from these views of perfection. I’ve always been open about my faith, but for some reason, it felt like that was the only realm that I didn’t actively try to be perfect in. I used to go to church, but it’s been a long time. I went to the same church for about seven years and used to love it, but the church became so disconnected. Despite not going to church, I still pray and read my Bible sometimes, but I’ve always wanted to be a part of a strong, Christian community. As this pandemic has grown, my anxiety has been at an all time high. For me, there has been so much fear and uncertainty, and this need for physical isolation has caused me to further isolate myself emotionally. I feel like Covid-19 is my calling to rekindle my faith and grow spiritually. Now, I have so much time to focus on God and don’t have the distractions of school, work, and extracurriculars to use as an excuse not to. Several friends and I have even formed a weekly Bible study group via Zoom, allowing me to attain that community feeling I’ve desired for so long and also bring myself out of isolation. I feel safe and loved. And, I still feel motivated outside of the group to grow on my own. By returning to God in times of fear, I feel more peace. For me, it kind of goes to show that what seems like a bad thing can actually enable you to grow and find the good.
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  Worship at Home

  Until I moved away for college, I had always gone to First Southern Baptist Church in Lawrence, KS. I unexpectedly had to come back home due to the COVID-19 outbreak and everything has changed. In response to the stay-at-home order, my church has canceled all services until it is safe for everyone to meet together again. However, now we have recorded services on youtube that we watch as well as recorded worship sessions. Also, my dad is an adult Sunday school teacher, who instead of recording his teachings, has started holding online zoom sessions for his class. This helps everyone stay connected as a lot of people are not doing well in these troubling times.

• A Negative Impact on My Relationship with God

  I think this pandemic has peaked my relationship with God, or perhaps made me realize how bad of a follower I am. I usually have the excuse of school or being busy all the time to not devote time in my day to read the Bible or watch a sermon. However, since I have loads of times, I feel guilty that I don't have an ounce of motivation in my life to devote my new down time to God. I don't have an excuse anymore. And then I receive blessings throughout this pandemic that shows me that I really am being cared for. Like worrying about money, but receiving a stimulus check the very next day that I didn't know I qualified for. Or having a distant/absent relationship with my father, but being able to spend time with him and rebuild our relationship. I am being taken care of but yet I can't muster the time to give thanks. This has been a very frustrating process for myself and my relationship with God.

• Remembering God

  I am a busy person, partly by choice and partly by necessity. Since I was a child, I have had an insatiable drive to work and to achieve. My drive and ambition are more a part of me than my limbs. I am a deans-list college student at a prestigious university who is also juggling extra-curricular activities, a job, and a long-distance relationship. When I was physically at my university, this business tended to pull me away from my sense of religion. I never had a crisis of belief or lost my Christian ways. Rather, I was just too busy too truly connect with them. I rarely prayed, which I used to do every day before college, and I never had the time or drive to really experience religion. When I first got sent home from college due to Covid-19, it was like my world went into slow motion. I had little social interaction, my classes were canceled for a week, my extracurriculars were not meeting, and I could not attend my on-campus job. My lifestyle of keeping busy was shattered. My word was quiet. It was in this quietness, that my religion came back to me. I had time and space to explore my relationship with God again. It was like being reunited with an old friend you had not realized was lost. Covid-19, while tragic and painful in many ways, realigned me with my faith.
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  Free Pet Food Helps People Cope with COVID 19

  CrossRoads Church at Westfield in Indiana created a unique way to help people during this pandemic - a drive-through free pet food give-away. People are without jobs and finding it difficult to have enough money to provide for all of their needs. Not knowing how they are going to make ends meet and the fear of how their health may be affected by COVID 19 is creating lots of anxiety and stress. When times get tough, people still take care of their pets even if it means people may not have enough money for their own food or prescriptions. In times of high anxiety, pets are stress relievers and anxiety reducers. So we decided that we could free up some resources families could use for themselves and at the same time feed the pets that help alleviate anxiety and stress for their owners. Thus...Free Pet Food Saturdays!
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  Longs Run Trinity Presbyterian April Bulletins

  The Third Sunday of Eastertide. Details the order and events of that day's virtual service.
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  In Person to Online

  I attend church at Matthias Lot in St. Charles, Missouri. Before the COVID-19 situation, I would go every week and worship in person, gather with other believers, and hear a message in the room with everyone else. Now service is online. It’s not the same, and I wish I could be around my friends and fellow believers, but, I’m so happy technology exists so I can still view service and worship on my own at home. Really, I’m more blessed than I am unlucky. I’ve attached a video from my church explaining the differences.
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  Healing Heartbreak

  Jewish religion heavily honors life cycle events as a way to guide practitioners through a moral, spiritual, and meaningful journey. When I was first informed of my 50-year-old uncle’s sudden death from a heart attack, I was in disbelief. How could such an incredible athlete with an admirable diet and a healthy lifestyle die from such a complication? Mike was the most intelligent and humble man I have ever known, pouring all of his heart into his children, his wife, his clients and anyone who had the privilege of meeting him. Most importantly, Mike embodied the Jewish community. After Mike’s passing, my aunt received deeply heartfelt emails from more people than imaginable. Mike continues to unite the sense of a Jewish community through his memory. When a Jewish person passes, it is custom that the funeral service and burial quickly follow to best preserve and honor the body. When the mourners return home from the funeral, the shiva - a formal, seven-day Jewish mourning - begins. The shiva serves to bring together the Jewish community in mourning and in celebration of the life of the deceased. The Jewish people were never instructed on how to properly mourn during a worldwide pandemic. Nonetheless, Mike’s wisdom surpassed precedent. Our extended family and friends gathered online to say the mourner’s kaddish, which does not mention death but rather asks God to pray for the souls of the deceased. Mimicking the environment of a shiva house, many people then shared stories of Mike, allowing for both cries and soft laughter to be heard. Mike’s memory joined family and friends from all across the nation, creating a sense of community and comfort that we all so deeply miss during this time of isolation. I know Mike will continue to embrace and uplift the Jewish community through his memory for years to come.

• The Pandemic and my Faith

  I am a 65 year old man who has lived his entire life with faith in God. I was raised a Methodist and at the age of 20 married a girl who was a member of the Presbyterian church in my town. We married in her church and our children were baptized there, so I felt the proper thing was for me to transfer and become a member of the Presbyterian church and worship there as a family. Through the years we were regular church goers although my wife and I both worked turns and weekends, so we weren’t that involved in the operation of the church, we just attended and our children were raised in the church. As I approached my 60’s, I suffered some health problems and while I always had believed and felt that I had a lot of faith, my faith in God and my involvement in church increased after a couple near death experiences. I was overcome by a feeling that there was things I needed to do and while I have been very active in my church and community since my health issues, I’m still not sure that I’ve done everything needed and I still pray to God and ask for direction as to what he wants me to do and how to serve. As what is these days a sign of the times, our church which was a traditional (not a contemporary service church) was failing financially and we realized we must merge or close our doors and walk away from our building. 3 years ago we did complete a successful but somewhat difficult merger with another Presbyterian church in our community. And I was filled with the thought that I should work to make our merger successful. I became more active in my church. I became an elder and am on our church session which runs the business of the church. My wife and I are Sunday School teachers together for the 1-3 grade levels and I am Sunday School Superintendent. I sing in the church choir. I am the chairman of both the Personnel committee and the Pastor Nominating committee. After our long time pastor(who was a yoked pastor with the church we merged with) retired, I was in charge of hiring both an Interim pastor and our current pastor. As strange as it might sound to some, I’ve felt that I have been doing what I was kept here to do after my health issues. And then the pandemic hit. As a member of Session, mine was one of the votes, after much consideration, that was cast to close the church and all church activities until our national and state leaders tell us it’s safe to reopen. I especially agonized over the loss of the children in Sunday School and I still feel we aren’t doing enough in consideration of the children’s spiritual needs during the pandemic. However, I do feel that I am learning more and am being refreshed with the online teaching and devotions we’ve been having Monday through Friday along with our online Sunday services. I also have a niece who is a pastor and she leads online worship which I watch. One of my weaknesses is that I’m not properly schooled in the scriptures and I feel that the pandemic has helped me in that respect. I describe our new pastor as a “preacher/teacher” as he is very good at leading you through the scriptures and teaching God’s word, so in a way, the pandemic has helped me and I hope I’m of better service to my church when this is all over. So I hope this is helpful and what you’re looking for. My granddaughter who has certainly been one of God’s gifts to me, asked me to do this and I hope I haven’t let her down. God bless you!

• Covid-19 and Holy Week

  I am a 20-year-old Episcopal Student who studies at the University of Texas. The Episcopal Diocese of Texas began altering ritual life on Sunday March 8, 2020 when the laity was told not to dip the bread into the common cup of the Eucharist, but laity members could either take the host in one form, or drink from the common cup. The rational was that there were more germs on your hands then on your lips. On this Sunday I chose to take to the only the bread since I made little sense to me to drink from one cup. By the following Sunday of March 15 all in person services were cancelled by the Bishop and transitioned to zoom Church. Fr. Travis the missionary at the Episcopal Church on the UT campus saw little sense in continuing the eucharist via zoom so the community switched to Evening Prayer. The Episcopal Student Center also began offering offices from the Daily Hours on Instagram. The biggest change in ritual life happened on Holy Week, our community switched from evening prayer to using the Liturgy of the Word- which is the first part of Eucharistic liturgy. Services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil were all prerecorded. The distance caused by the Covid-19 pandemic made the remaining time of Lent and Holy Week for intense. Especially the narratives about Jesus feeling abandoned. I personal on this Good Friday watch the Last Temptation of Christ – which helped me rely on a more human side of Jesus during this time. A big change for the way I engaged with services stems from my role as an acolyte, which is eliminated via zoom church, so I adapted and have read in almost all the services since being online.

• Family leaning on religion in the time of crisis/finding new "truths"

  I have two stories to describe. The first is about my Father and his ability to put complete trust in his religion during the COVID-19 crisis. My Father has always been religion and recently has been dealing with becoming older. Things such as joint pain, falls, and general wellness. But recently, he has slowly started to trust in modern medicine and instead pray and fast for its healing abilities. During the pandemic, my father has made statements like, "I don't live in fear. No enemy can hurt me becuase I believe in God." Furthermore, I would like to add even though he believes this way, he still will obey a rule and certain regulations, such as wearing a face mask. The second story is more of an interesting product of how pandemics can change people's views. I have a cousin that has never shown interesting in conspiracy theories or government corruption. However, during the pandemic post on FaceBook from them have been about "finding the truth," and "has opened their eyes." They claim that the Illuminati is behind COVID-19 and that certain people such as Bill Gates have known about this. In fact, the virus was created and possibly fake (their claim)? They have very little to no evidence to prove any claims they are posting. I just found it interesting that during a stressful time, they turned to conspiracy theories rather than a religion like my Father.

• Pandemic in the Midst of Junior Year

  I am a 21-year-old attending Missouri State University and currently a junior. I attend a Christian church every Sunday. Although due to the global pandemic, my church has had to close it's doors. I now watch videos posted weekly on my church's website of our pastors preaching. I believe that this pandemic would be impossible to survive without technology at this time. I also meet with my small group through my church weekly as well via Zoom calls. This has been a major transition and not one that anyone is overly thrilled about, but I am thankful that I can still have a sense of community even from afar.
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  Prayer is > the virus, photography by Lorie Shaull

  Prayer is > the virus message written on plastic wrapped baled hay in Goodhue County, Minnesota
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  Changing Signs

  Although I was raised in the Methodist Church, I no longer count myself as a religious person. However, I do enjoy reading what local churches, especially in smaller towns, post on their outdoor signs to communicate with the general public. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I've noticed lots of signs like the one pictured here -- instead of Bible verses, the signs are all about how to connect online. Just one of the many ways the pandemic has effected religious practice.
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  St. Francis of Assisi with a Mask

  St. Francis was a great lover of God's creation which in these uncertain times reminds us how amazing it is even still to be able to enjoy our surroundings in nature.
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  Start of Virtual Worship

  This is my church starting a live session during the Covid-19 pandemic and creating that ability to connect online through technology to continue that sense of community and worship.
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  Church Visits

  Along with watching tv church services, my mom and I still visit our church from time to time, since it is still open. We usually go to sit by the altar and do reflection prayers.

• At Home Church Service

  During quarantine my mother and I have watched church services through the tv. We do this every Sunday morning to still keep maintain our religious tradition of going to church every Sunday.
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  A Religious Response to Covid-19 from a Presbyterian Community of Faith Near Detroit

  This response documents the initial and early communications of a Presbyterian pastor to a congregation on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, as the Covid-19 pandemic swept through this geographic region (March and April, 2020). Included in the documents are mail and email communications to the congregation, reflections on seasonal observances of the Christian church in light the pandemic (Lent, Holy Week, Easter), and a sermon specifically addressing personal and community and faith issues in response to the pandemic. Relevant demographic information of this community of faith: denomination, Presbyterian Church USA; size 1,200 members; location is largely affluent suburban community bordering Detroit; racial composition is overwhelmingly white. Context of pastor and faith community: pastor (white male mid-sixties) has served since November 2019 as the interim head of staff in a temporary position (pastor's experience includes 40 years as a Presbyterian minister); the congregation's senior pastor moved to another congregation June, 2019 and is in a transitional time between called pastors.

• Family Growth Through Worship at Home

  Because of COVID-19, my church, like many others, has had to go to streamed services. They have been filming worship and preaching from my pastor's home, and then we are all able to watch on Facebook and YouTube during the normal service times. This has definitely been a change for my church, and even just my family. I definitely miss going to church services on Sunday mornings as well as throughout the week. My husband and I are very involved in our church, and I lead a life group that normally takes place at a coffee shop. In the midst of the pandemic, I have also had to lead my life group virtually. We have been meeting over Zoom, and it has been weird, but it definitely makes me feel so grateful for technology. It could easily shake our faith to be so much more disconnected from our fellow believers, but we have chosen to allow our faith to be strengthened by the time that we get to spend together as a family in worship. We may not get to be with all of our friends and church family to celebrate, but we do get to have a much more intimate worship time at home. My husband and I have grown in our faith and relationship with one another by focusing on pouring into each other and having church at home with just the two of us.
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  St. Mary's Cathedral in St Cloud, Minnesota, photograph by Lorie Shaull

  Faith & Hope are not cancelled; a sign outside St. Mary's Cathedral in St Cloud, Minnesota
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  The name of Jesus is above COVID-19, photography by Lorie Shaull

  Message on a sign at Joy Christian Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota

• My experience

  I am a 22 year old college student. I grew up in the Methodist church in Lisbon Ohio. I was baptized there. I have always believed and god and I higher power. I stopped going to church after my favorite reverend quit. I recently have moved to South Carolina to live with my boyfriend and go to law school. I woke up in the middle of the night one night right when corona started in fear. I believe my dream had something to do with me dying of the Coronavirus. I was shaking so bad in my legs that it woke my boyfriend up. I told him I had a dream I died of the virus and he told me I was crazy. Then I got this fear of dying. I wondered about after life and god. I stayed up most night worrying and when I did sleep I woke up in panic attacks. I convinced my family to drive down and pick me up. (I was too afraid to tell them about my fears in fear of them making fun of me). I had been up for a couple days at the time I told my mother about it. She told me how she’s had spiritual experiences when her mother passed and that she believes in god. I never really talked with her about it before. That night I went upstairs and (I know this sounds crazy) this doll my grandma gave me before she died was on a table outside of my bedroom. It was strange because I haven’t seen it in forever. I had even been sleeping in my room the time I had been there and haven’t seen it. I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. I later started to have many questions about god and religion. My dad has always been religious because as a kid they had evil spirits in his house that would mess with him and his siblings. My moms side of the family has always discredited him because his father abused all his siblings and even my grandmother. They thought maybe the sprit was his dad and he was thinking it was a demon. He mentions this demon would shake his bed and he would call out the name of the lord and it would stop and run away scared. I don’t think he was lying. I never had. I believed he experienced it. Why would my dad lie? What would he gain from it? I talked more to my dad about god and religion and I felt more comfortable. I forgot to mention but while I was having my doubts I kept seeing the number 116. I looked this number up forever ago and it was an angel number. It means I will succeed and what I work for will become my reality. I told my dad about it and he said it’s a sign from god. I would be watching a TikTok trying to calm myself down and I would see the number or I’d be having a panic attack and see the number playing a game. I went up to visit my sister (we have all been in quarantine) and I told her about my experience and she told me she didn’t believe in anything. We were molested as children and I am not sure but I think her belief come from the pain she has endured. I had another panic attack. My boyfriends aunt is religious and weird enough the next day she invited me to her church video thing on Facebook (I’m not sure what to call it lol). I thought well that’s weird she has never done it before. So I watched it and weird enough it was about what I was stressing over. I watched it and I had more and more questions. I talked to my dad over FaceTime and he explained stuff to me. My aunts whole family never really believed in god or any higher power. A best friend of mine amber moved to North Carolina our senior year and I know she had become one with god. None of my friends other than her really believe in god or have ever been religious. I talked to her for a bit and she told me all the signs I was getting were from god and were comforting me. She said coincidences don’t happen. Every time I had my doubts and I mean every time I would see 116. She has had a very spiritual experience which brought a lot of comfort to me. I had a lot of questions about afterlife and heaven. My dad randomly sent me this video on near death experiences and all of them had a spiritual experience. The comments had a woman who said she was an atheist all of her life and she had some coincidences that made her believe. I didn’t get through all of the video as I had school work to do. But my dad came in from work and said it was weird... the video he randomly found YouTube. He didn’t search it up or anything. It was suggested to him. This was on his work computer and he was just looking up politics with the Coronavirus. I took this as a sign. I told dad that was insane because it was EXACTLY what I was worried about the night before. I hadn’t even talked to him about that. Since I have had my doubts I’ve also had signs from god and I truly believe they are signs. I never really had these experiences before other than when I told my mom about me being molested I had sleep paralysis the night before. It was a yellowish figure came and grabbed my hand and held it. I woke up the next day to tell my dad about it and he said it was my guardian angel comforting me about something. Later that night is when I told my mom. I don’t believe in coincidences and I really hope my narrative makes sense to you. But God is really here. I’ve been nicer and more helpful. I’ve been praying more and praying for other people and outcomes. My fears are gone. My doubts have went away. My anxiety isn’t there anymore. I believe I was sent to this page just to share my experiences. I feel like the Coronavirus has showed us what’s really important family, life, and god.

• How my Great-Grandmother has Been Affected by Covid-19

  I would like to start this off by mentioning that I understand the importance of religion for many people, but my grandmother is someone who takes her religion extremely seriously. Ever since I was a young child I always remembered my great-grandmother (a survivor of both the Great Depression, Polio, and World War 2) being completely dedicated to her religion and her attendance has only been affected by health issues. This changed a few weeks ago when it came time for Easter Sunday and my great-grandmother, being 94 could not attend that service for the first time in her life. She attempted to navigate technology to allow her to watch the service online but was unable to get all the kinks worked out, even with us younger grandchildren helping. Even if my grandmother had been successful in watching her service online, it would have been drastically different than what she had experienced her entire life. For someone who is a widow, survived many tribulations, and now has to go through Covid-19 is affecting her and the people around her, it makes things very difficult. Many of my family members are not devout to Christianity like my grandmother, this is very hard on her, with her not attending service, and not being able to talk about her religion it is causing her to go as she put it "stir crazy".
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  A view of Lancaster

  Photo 1 - The old Soul