By Brandon Martin
As coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, forces us to keep our distance, businesses, government offices and schools have all found creative ways to conduct normal functions from within the home environment.
Now, apparently, so has the church, and while their methods may be different, their charge to spread the good news remains unchanged.
County Line Christian Church, located in Axton, is among those providing take-home bags to their parishioners.
“They gave us a package of things to do and read, plus a zip lock bag with a bottle of grape juice and little cups and crackers,” said Norma Ramsey, who attends the church.
The take-home bag also includes “three tracts for three weeks starting March 22,” Ramsey said. “We read ‘They Crucified Him,’ ‘The Empty Tomb,’ and ‘I Believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God,’ all by a man named Wayne Greeson.”
She said that she also had been given a booklet of The First Epistle of John, a study guide and envelopes to send tithes.
“This is just for three weeks but if the virus continues, they will send more,” she said.
Christ Episcopal Church, located in Martinsville, is switching to online services after cancelling all in-person services, meetings and events because of the coronavirus.
“Please join us Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m. for morning prayer, noon for a ‘Noonday’ Service, and at 5 p.m., for Evening Prayer,” Cari Zimmer said in an email. “A Holy Communion Service will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.”
Those looking to attend can access their services through their website or social media page.
Stone Memorial Christian Church is also embracing the benefits of online streaming.
“We’re going to be doing ours over Facebook Live,” secretary for the church Heather Helton said. “Since we can’t have a gathering of over 100 people, we are just going to be doing it online for now.”
