Coronavirus couldn’t stop Easter for drive-in church
St. Mark’s Lutheran moved its ministry online during the coronavirus outbreak
For some worshipers, the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t going to keep them away from church on Easter Sunday, even as many services have moved online.
At St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Birdsboro, for example, around 150 people showed up for the service.
But not to worry. The faithful in attendance were still practicing social distancing, sitting in their cars at what have become drivein churches, similar to the movie theaters popular in the 1950s and ‘60s.
“That was our intention,” said Jim Farnsworth, pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
“We do our normal service, except rather than people sitting in the pews, they’re parked. Instead of meeting as a congregation, they’re in their own selfcontained pods.”
And the coronavirus isn’t simply changing the way people practice their religious beliefs during a health crisis, said Farnsworth.
It’s making churches rethink the way ministry is conducted.
How they pulled it off
It seemed almost normal, especially on a crisp, spring morning, as if somebody decided it’s going to be a beautiful day so let’s have church outside, on top of a hill overlooking our little town, to mark this holy occasion.
A makeshift altar is set up in front of the building, with flowers, candles, and a crucifix obscuring the fact that it’s actually a trailer bed. Cars line up at the entrance as volunteers direct the drivers where to park, while others are handing out bulletins and communion. Pre-recorded organ music plays over the speakers and a tiny choir of three sings hymns — standing several feet apart, of course.
Then Farnsworth delivers a sermon to his parishioners, a sea of cars, SUVs and one bright yellow Hummer, a reminder how unusual the scene is.
Instead of shaking hands and expressing words of peace to their neighbors, worshipers beep their horns. Instead of taking Holy Communion from Farnsworth, they hold bread and “wine” out their windows for blessing.
“They’re signs we are here, we are gathering, we are having church,” said Farnswoth. “You have to adapt.”
St. Mark’s also began streaming its services live on Facebook when the COVID-19 outbreak shuttered churches. As few as five people were needed in the chapel.
However, it was among the ministries to also hold a parking lot service for Palm Sunday, and then again on Easter, in addition to going online.
“We thought it was important for Holy Week to gather as a congregation,” said Farnsworth. “After this, we’ll go back to the virtual sanctuary again.”
Though St. Mark’s has held its last pop-up service for awhile, it showed how important religion is in many’s lives.
“More people came than we thought would,” said Farnsworth. “We noticed that it wasn’t just our congregation, either. There were members of other churches.”
Church’s reach expands
Thanks to the internet, it’s not just members of other churches.
It can be believers in different states.
Before the pandemic struck, Farnsworth was planning to buy an FM transmitter or stream video online later this year for people who were unable to attend in person. Now that services are on social media though, he realizes the level of interest is much broader.
“Say we usually have 100 people who come to the service,” said Farnsworth. “But when you look at the views on Facebook, you have 400. And some are from Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee.
“We are reaching many more people than just the folks that call themselves St. Mark’s members.”
It’s opening new doors for the ministry, said Farnsworth, who noted a Bible study that might draw 15 in person could get 75 online.
“The church needs to use this as opportunity to get out there in the world,” said Farnsworth.
Farnsworth is practicing what he preaches.
One way St. Mark’s is expanding its outreach is by continuing its Wednesday services — traditionally only held during Lent — until the crisis is over and churches can reopen.
“It’s important for us to provide hope, a little breath of fresh air, to not worry about the anxiety in our lives,” said Farnsworth. “Take 20 to 30 minutes to listen to scriptures, music and take their minds off everything else.”