Pandemic Religion: A Digital Archive

Pandemic Religion Contributions

Item Set

Items

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  Oral History with Tom Clardy

  For a graduate school project at Utah State University, History Dept., I was assigned to create an Oral History with a religious person with respect to their experiences with COVID-19. Tom signed a written consent for me to record and upload his history in this archive. I have the form on file. Included in this submission are three files. The first is an audio file from a Zoom recording transcribed by Otter.ai. The second file is a Word Doc with a series of photographs of Tom with various aspects of his life. The third is a text transcript of the 70-minute interview.
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  Oral History with Mawanyo Afua Peni

  For a grad project, I was assigned to interview a religious person about their experience with COVID. This is my friend, Mawanyo's brief life history along with her experience with religion, faith and COVID-19. This is an audio file produced through Zoom, and transcribed by Otter.ai I have also included a word doc with several photos of her and her life experiences. Mawanyo gave me a signed consent form which I have on file consenting to have this history included in your archive.

• Conservative Judaism in Northampton

  Noah Barondes interrupted his October bar mitzvah ceremony to ask, to no one in particular, “Where are they going?” This ‘they’ would be the twenty some masked and socially distanced bar mitzvah attendees, caught in the act of an awkward, would-be surreptitious shuffle to the sunlight from the cold shaded tent they were originally sitting in. This disturbance in the ceremony, although relatively humorous, is just one of the many disruptions of Northampton’s Congregation B’nai Israel’s services induced by the pandemic. Unable to meet in person due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the synagogue has been forced to move its services online for streaming. This proved an immediate issue, as Conservative Jews practice Shabbat by not using electronic media (including taking pictures or being photographed, as streaming requires). This creates a whole host of restrictions most other religious groups did not have to consider when transitioning to an online service format. In addition to this, services at Congregation at B’nai Israel feature a strong focus on cooperative, communal prayer, and leading that prayer over the Internet is much more difficult than in-person. Normally, attendees would sing all together, creating lots of energy, but being on Zoom or a live-streamed service makes that kind of connection impossible. Services can feel inauthentic as religious experiences and more like chores, since many people are doing their jobs over Zoom, sitting in the same place in their home and at the same computer they work from. And that’s not even to mention the ways Zoom shortens people’s attention spans, making it far more difficult to sit down and concentrate on prayer. To adapt to these challenges created by the pandemic, Congregation B’nai Israel and its leaders have looked to the larger Jewish community and authority to guide their decisions on how to continue practicing their religion and reaching all members of their community at a time when they cannot be together. While it was unconventional and potentially against Jewish law to move services online, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the larger organization the Congregation is part of, was able to find solid rationale for bending those restrictions in order to keep people connected to their Jewish communities. For their part, Congregation B’nai Israel has made some adjustments to their services in order to make them more Zoom-friendly. For one thing, they have made services shorter, in order to combat that reduced attention span of service attendees. Their Shabbat morning services have shifted to become more focused on conversation and study of different texts, with a few prayers in the beginning and end of the service. The attendees seem to really enjoy this, but it’s unclear whether the new format will continue once the pandemic is over. Congregation B’nai Israel also monitors and responds to the pandemic with their personal COVID-19 task force, which includes a few infectious disease experts as well as the synagogue president. They work together to come up with recommendations on what will be safe for the community to do as far as in-person gathering, and whatever they say is carried out. At the moment, they have considered it safe to provide a few, heavily limited opportunities for in-person worship, one of which was Noah Barondes’s bar mitzvah. These gatherings are restricted to a specific size, and social distancing measures and masks are enforced at all times. In addition to these structural adaptations to the pandemic, Rabbi Justin David adapted the contents of his service too. He infused Barondes’s bar mitzvah with themes of hope and resilience, referencing the various tragedies of humanity in the Hebrew Bible and reminding the congregants that nevertheless, humanity persevered. This communal acknowledgement of suffering combined with the assurance that the community will survive is a reminder that religion is more than its rituals and practice: it’s a source of collective, spiritual strength in times of adversity. In a way, CBI’s services themselves act as a natural adaptation to the pandemic by providing a response to coronavirus anxieties.

• Religion in a Small Town During Covid-19

  Within my small community, church attendance is already low, but with the addition of a pandemic, my church is struggling. We have adapted by sharing every message and event on Facebook Live so that the elderly people of our community have the opportunity to watch from their homes. We interact with them via Zoom. To help grow church attendance and grow the bond between the church members, we hold socially distanced activities outside of the church: fireworks, painting, bonfires, and outdoor games for children. We leave fliers of church tracks on every door so people that are timid to attend church in person, are still getting a touch of the Message in their lives.

• Holiday Times Around the Corner

  As I sit here today I think about what the holidays will look like this year. In times past during thanksgiving, we gather with the whole family and enjoy a big meal and share and laugh at stories we have missed. This year with COVID cases rising we are unsure of what it will look like. We aren't going to be able to sit around a table as usual with our whole family. We are going to have to change it up, times are hard. This year we are not going to be able to have our distant family around we might have to use technology to call them in. Thank goodness for technology or we wouldn't be able to accomplish this. Christmas on the other hand we are unsure what this will look like as well. Usually, without COVID we go to church and spend time with family but just recently my family and I have found out that church will not be happing in person like it has my whole life and that changes things. I am unsure of these times we are experiencing and I am not good at change so we can only hope next year will be different.

• Catholic TV

  Since going to mass has been prohibited in Idaho, my family has been using CatholicTV.org in order to somewhat participate in mass. The website also offers mass in Spanish for those who prefer that. They offer mass services every day.

• Global Religions Class

  This semester I am a senior college student tiring to make it through school and this pandemic. In late July I found out some of my classes were not happening due to no in-person classes at the university I attend so I had to alter my schedule. As a senior I was brought with the concern of will I still graduate what should I take. I was looking through class options and I came across a class called "Global Religions". I am religious myself but when looking at other religions I am unsure what their practices are so I decided this would be a fun interesting class to take. I signed up and when early August rolled around I was built with excitement to see what I would learn. Well, here I am in late November with three weeks left of class. I have learned so much more than I would have ever hoped. I have learned about religions from all over the world and what their practices and beliefs are. The coolest part about this class is that since we are in a pandemic I am able to learn how different religions are adapting to different situations. I have learned so much about different religions and I believe this is just opening the door to more I will want to learn about in the future and follow up on what religions are doing as we see how this pandemic unfolds.

• Hard times during COVID

  Religion during the pandemic takes a whole new turn on religion. I am not a regular churchgoer but I did attend often. I am in college and have moved from my old church to finding a new church in my new town. I have been in my new town for now 3 years but only during when school is in session. last year I was able to find a church that fit my grove. I fell in love and started to attend with my friends then what do you know COIVD hit and we all had to go home, just as I was getting a hang of things. I follow the church I go to in college and the one from home on social medial so I am able to follow along with changes happing within. I was amazed when the world shut down no more churches no nothing so I just turned to home practicing but what am I kidding if you don't have someone holding you accountable it gets tough. Over the past several months I have been trying and just recently the church at college has opened their doors back up to those that are willing and have even found a way to broadcast online. All churches are tiring so hard to adapt to this new normal and I feel as though so are people especially me. This COIVD stuff scared me so I have been taking advantage of the online live lectures. Even better the church posts stuff daily wheater that is motivation quotes or things to think about that day. I think this aspect has really helped me keep on top of everything. Hopefully one day soon the churches can open their doors back up to full capacity.
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  Trinity Ecumenical Parish - Pandemic - a history

  Our parish historian has recorded the many changes that were necessary for the parish to serve the congregation and surrounding community during Covid 19.

• Religious studies class

  During COVID 19, I have taken the time to learn about other religions through an online religious studies class at my university. It is different, since the class would originally be in person. However, I have found a new passion for learning about a variety of religions. It is intriguing to compare rituals and traditions and learn historical forms of each faith. I have an appreciation for each religion and learning about how the celebrate and where they came to be.

• Prizmah Knowledge Center Resources on Finances Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

  Prizmah is the network for Jewish day schools across North America. This is a collection of Prizmah's Knowledge Center resources that address general finances, financial aid, and budgeting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Prizmah Knowledge Center Resources on Mental Health & Emotional Support

  Prizmah is the network for Jewish day schools across North America. This is a collection of Prizmah's Knowledge Center resources that address mental health and emotional support for families and their children.

• College Changes

  I grew up in a very small and very religion based town, so when I came to college, it was kind of like a culture shock. People were not as focused on religion, or at least it didn't appear to be that way; you had to look closer and deeper in order to find people who were just as focused on religion as you were. But when I found out that there was a non-denominational Christian group that continued to worship even amidst COVID, I really wanted to go and see what is was all about. I am happy that I went because now I have met so many new people in my community that share the same beliefs as I do, and we have really connected and became close friends. Being a member of this group almost gives me a sense of being grounded and being at peace. These days are very stressful for everyone especially with the pandemic going on, so if you can find a group near you that still worships during these times, I highly recommend going and seeing what it is all about. You never know if you will like it unless you try.

• Prizmah Blog Posts on Mental Health & Emotional Support

  Prizmah is the network for Jewish day schools across North America. This is a collection of blog posts that talk about mental health and emotional support.

• Prizmah Blog Posts on Celebrating Holidays during Covid-19

  Prizmah is the network for Jewish day schools across North America. This is a collection of blog posts that talk about celebrating the holidays amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

• hope !

  I have been going to the same church since I was four years old. Every Sunday, holiday or even during school. I fell in love with not only Jesus and the church but the people around me during mass or gatherings. When COVID shut everything down it made me feel lost and I did not know what to do. When they started doing online services it felt better but just was not the same. After everything was settling down they opened up an outdoor service which was amazing and brought many people together! During all this chaos I learned how to pray better and use this time to connect with Jesus more which made me feel more grateful.

• Prizmah Knowledge Center Resources to Celebrate Holidays during Covid-19

  Prizmah is the network for Jewish day schools across North America. This is a collection of Prizmah's Knowledge Center resources that help families celebrate holidays amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

• God is not surprised

  The shutdown of life as we knew it that occurred March 13, 2020 came as a shock to my workplace, Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, an ecumenical Christian affordable housing ministry, my church Christ fellowship and family and friends. At first we all thought two weeks and life would return to “normal”. We were wrong... 8 months later our office and our church have not yet started gathering in person yet. Our church will begin mid November and our office not likely until the new year. And although we haven’t returned to “normal” I have witnessed a sense of community and an increased commitment to doing good to benefit others. Our pastor started daily morning Live devotions which have provided comfort and peace in these uncertain times. At work we typically hold three events a year to fund the home building and 2 of the 3 have been virtual yet the turnout has been stronger despite the change. Response to our request to financial help those Habitat families who have lost their jobs pay their mortgage was overwhelming. Our church is hosting an advent giving campaign to collect donations to support Habitat. My faith has been strengthened as I’ve witnessed miracle after miracle of what looks like a negative be turned into a blessing these past 8 months. We were surprised but God Is not. He has a beautiful plan and Keeps showing it in a multitude of ways and the slower pace has afforded me/us more opportunities daily to notice them. My faith in humanity and goodness has been strengthened as well as, despite the bitter division in this country, more people are committed to providing a hand up, not out and by tangibly reflecting the love of God to others in need. No Human would ask to learn these lessons through a pandemic but God in His perfect wisdom knew just how to turn the horror of a pandemic and use it for good. I pray I keep these lessons learned close to my heart when things “return to normal” and I hope they don’t completely turn to normal - I pray I/we keep a slower pace and more outward other oriented focus. ?????

• Audra K

  I didn’t know what would happen with my Christian church that I love. When everything shut down in March we thought it would only be a week or two. Weeks quickly turned into months and our church started on line services. I actually really enjoyed them - although I missed the interaction and fellowship of being in the church building. It became apparent that church is in our hearts and we are the church - not a building. My church did also start outdoor service over the summer which was wonderful. Church (the body of Christ) lives within all of Gods children and we can worship Him and pray wherever we are. Thank you Jesus❣️
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  Ekoji's Virtual Dharma Talks

  This is a collection of virtual dharma talks from the Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax Station, Virginia.
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  450+ Rabbis Sign NYJA Statement and Press Conference Video

  In this virtual press conference held by the New York Jewish Agenda, more than 450 rabbis, cantors, and other religious leaders joined together to speak out in favor of life-saving, geography-based COVID-19 protective measures. The event also featured Jacob Kornbluh, a Jewish journalist who was assaulted during the October 7th protest and riots in Boro Park.
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  SV News Coverage of the Boro Park Protests

  These tweets from @SVNewAlerts cover the New York City police dispersing the crowds gathered to celebrate the Sukkot holiday and the later protests of Governor Andrew Cuomo's lockdown of synagogues. The lockdown comes as COVID-19 spikes in nine New York City communities.
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  High Holidays on Zoom, including Zoom Choir

  Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer and BJC Zoom Choir singing on Yom Kippur 2020, Bethesda Jewish Congregation, Bethesda, Maryland.
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  Congregation Beit Simchat Torah's Yom Kippur Neilah Service

  Congregation Beit Simchat Torah is a "vibrant spiritual community and a progressive Jewish voice. Founded in 1973, CBST attracts and welcomes gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, queer, and straight individuals and families who share common values." CBST livestreamed their Yom Kippur Neilah Service so members of its congregation, and those across the country, could join in despite COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings.
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  The Glories of Gathering

  This sermon discusses the isolation created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of gathering in Christianity. The sermon quotes Hebrews 10:24-25 and is structured around the verse: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."