Churches plan online services
Churches in Nelson are working on contingency plans, including livestreaming services, as Covid19 threatens to close down public meetings.
Limited gatherings, live streaming and closure of services are being considered as the threat from the disease escalates.
Nelson Anglican Diocese vicar general David Hollingsworth said parishes were being updated almost daily. While so far, none of diocese’s churches had been forced to cancel services, it was looking like a very real possibility.
‘‘If we have to stop gathering, we will do it,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re doing everything we can to be responsible in the situation – we’re strictly following the Department of Health guidelines.’’
Hollingsworth said the diocese was preparing to record services for parishioners, in case the Government imposed further restrictions on the size of allowed public gatherings.
‘‘A lot of parishes already record their sermons, so for people with PCs and iPhones, it’s not an issue. But for a lot of the older generation, they will find it really hard.’’
Hollingsworth said the church was particularly concerned for the welfare of older people and those who were already isolated and vulnerable. With existing prayer and pastoral care networks, it would be able to keep in touch and look out for those who were isolated.
Diocese health and safety coordinator Rachel Boyack said measures had already been taken to stop the shaking of hands at services and the use of communal communion cups. Anyone with colds or flu was being instructed to stay away, to limit the potential harm caused by a secondary illness.
Annesbrook Church lead pastor Graham Heslop said it was ready to live stream services if large congregation sizes were no longer an option.
‘‘We’ve been talking about it a lot in the past seven days, and even in that time, a lot has changed.
‘‘We’ve got a civic responsibility. Churches should be wanting to do everything they can to make sure this doesn’t become a runaway freight train.’’
Heslop said an average of about 800 people attended the church across four weekly gatherings. While they might remain under the public gathering threshold, the biggest issue to consider was whether people still felt comfortable about attending services.
If services were cancelled, messages could still be filmed, with parishioners able to live stream them. ‘‘We’re already set up for that, so we can do that for as long as we need to.’’
Heslop said the focus of the church during this time would need to be outward. ‘‘Our core values are about community, making sure people keep being supported and connected.’’
Hope Church lead pastor Daryl Bay said that at this stage, the church was still planning to hold services on Sundays, although there would be a number of precautions.
Bay said the situation was still fluid, and the church was ‘‘absolutely open’’ to the idea of not meeting if it was necessary.
‘‘We don’t want to be creating fear, but we also need to be wise about the situation.’’
He said the key focus of the church and congregation was what it looked like for people to love their neighbours. ‘‘When we’re all feeling rattled like this, it’s a chance for people to think about what they can do for others rather than themselves.’’