Pandemic Religion: A Digital Archive

My Experience in Time of COVID-19

My experience in the time of coronavirus has been similar to many others. As an Asian-American Christian, I attend a Chinese church in my hometown of Dallas. Our church is relatively small compared to other Protestant or Christian churches; we only have about 120 people and one service (in Mandarin Chinese). Spring Break marked the end of our in-person worship services, and from that point on our church has been holding all gathering online through Zoom. As my father is a layperson who serves in the church, he has been busy with many meetings with church leadership in how to navigate the coronavirus crisis. As for the four C’s of creed, code, cultus, and community, some have remained the same and some have changed. Creed has been the most unchanged, as what I believe doesn’t change based upon the circumstances. However, our church, like many others, has particularly emphasized prayers for those who have been affected by coronavirus, such as the sick, the elderly, healthcare workers, and the unemployed. Code has been somewhat relaxed – I could show up to service in pajamas, but I haven’t so far. Cultus, or the rituals that are associated with religion, has been the most affected. Partaking in the Eucharist/Communion has been temporarily suspended as the church congregants are supposed to physically join in the ritual together, which of course isn’t possible over Zoom. Additionally, other rituals such as baptism and offerings/almsgiving have also been postponed. Some parts of cultus, such as the hymns and the sermon, have remained the same, though. (It has to be said that singing to a computer feels weird, though). As for community, we have transitioned to an online community. Even though we cannot be physically in a church building, we know that we are linked together by the Holy Spirit.

May 11, 2020

Christian Church

Bible Church

Texas

Dallas