PASTORS REFLECT ON EASTER IN COVID TIMES
UCCSA
As the country continues to experience a surge in Covid-19 related deaths and infections, and with a deadly third wave threatening to wreak further havoc, Holy week in 2021 is certainly untypical for many Christians.
Voice Woman speaks to women of the cloth to find out how their churches are faring amid restrictions on gatherings, how they’re observing the Great Week, and what measures they’ve put in place to stay connected to their large congregants under the State of Emergency.
Ononofile Mafuta - International Faith Ministries, Tlokweng
The church has been vastly affected by the pandemic because of the maximum number of people allowed to attend services, as well as the number of hours permitted per service. That took believers a while to acclimatise to the newly introduced regulations, however, that could not stop the Gospel from spreading because there are online platforms as an alternative.
The prescribed limit of attendees has disadvantaged a lot of Christians, but we are appreciative that God has granted us an opportunity to feed our souls through live streams and social media teachings. Church found it significant to abide by the law and decisions made by authorities because Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed.”
Religious gatherings are essential because that is where we should seek more of God’s mercy to heal the land. God answers prayers everywhere but he says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
It is the principal mandate of the church to pray for leadership so that God can empower them with wisdom in their decisionmaking.
I have decided that this pandemic or calamity should not distract me from worshiping God and celebrating Easter Convention, nothing should separate us from the love of God. The church will be having online live stream to reach out to believers though some will suffer due to limited or no access to Internet.
I would like to encourage the nation to trust in God in all circumstances, this pandemic is just a storm that is meant to test our faith. God will carry you
through the storm (Isaiah 43:2); just adhere to Covid-19 regulations.
Rev Malebogo Mothibi, UCCSA
It has been a very difficult and taxing time for churches. However, churches continued with services despite the limitations they experienced. Prayers are held; church ministers are called to assist with counselling and conduct funerals. Some continue to pray in their groups; we have seen the emergence of social media as a tool to reach out to our members and society at large.
The prescribed limit of 50 members per worship service, despite the size of the church, has been the greatest blow for the church. There are a few things that we need to take into consideration; churches differ in size and so 50 congregants per service is too small for some but may be just the right number for others. Some are large enough to allow for more people while still maintaining social distancing. I think the church should have been closely involved to assist with this and avoid the one-size-fits-all approach, which has been practised here.
However, limiting the number is in itself one way of fighting the pandemic.
Religious gatherings are essential, but the church must also respect the Covid-19 protocols as stated by the government. If we remember well, churches have been found to be super spreaders, in countries like South Africa, United States of America, South Korea and many others. It is through this that limitations were put in place.
It is therefore important for the church to evolve and join the world in accommodating the use of technology. However, it’s paramount for congregants to meet and worship together as this promotes fellowship.
Online services are meant to encourage spiritual growth among the members with messages of hope and trust in God. The priority is always to pray for our government and leaders and the Task Force, as they struggle find solutions to stop this pandemic. As well as give thanks to God for more interventions like the vaccines we have just received, the church prays for everybody, especially that most people cannot even attend funerals of loved ones.
During Holy week, the church has services throughout the week, following the Biblical teachings. Easter has always been a time to celebrate the newness of life that comes with Easter, but this time the church has to celebrate through online platforms.
Lastly, the mission of the church is for all God’s people. The pandemic has affected all of us. I would just like to say to God’s people; Isaiah 41:10, God said, “Have no fear, for I am with you, be not afraid, for I am your God, I shall strengthen you and give you help, and hold you with my victorious hand.”