When church goes online: Battle Creek congregation finds opportunity in pandemic imposed alternative

When the size of group gatherings began to be limited to prevent the spread of COVID-19, recovery programs had to rethink how to hold meetings – such as moving groups to online formats. Although there are limitations to not meeting in-person, this format has increased accessibility for many participants and allowed them to join meetings from outside of their typical region.

In New Hampshire, nursing homes and veteran's homes are turning to online video conferencing and outdoor socially-distanced activities to manage the patients' feelings of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. Although it does not replace in-person contact, residents have expressed that it has helped and the facilities say that they plan to keep some of the technologies in place post-pandemic so out-of-state family can "visit" more often.

An online forum focused on providing an outlet for those who are seeking a way "to share their experiences with COVID-19" has gained a global community with participants from five countries engaging in discussions. Although the forum does not require users to identify themselves and could pose a risk for the spread of misinformation, the main purpose of the site is for anecdotal storytelling that helps users feel a sense of connection and companionship.

An Alberta Health Services’ text messaging service called Text4Hope is giving people text messages to help them cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The texts, written by mental health therapists, use cognitive behavioral therapy, helping people disrupt the constant stream of negative thoughts that happen during traumatic times. So far, over 30,000 people have signed up.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Lakes Region in New Hampshire have quickly pivoted to offering online classes and outreach to help their students and their family to maintain some semblance of social connection, routine, and normalcy. While technology has helped address the social isolation that has come from the coronavirus pandemic, it is still not a replacement for in-person connection. However, psychologists say that it still can act as the "next-best alternative to being in visual and physical contact."

The coronavirus pandemic has caused theaters and other art venues to close, but some performing artists in Arizona are taking their work online to connect with the community. Although this hasn't yet created a stream of revenue, utilizing technology for activities such as live, virtual readings of Shakespeare to open mic nights for spoken-word poetry on Instagram live,, has helped the performing arts community to maintain a connection during times of isolation.

As more individuals are hospitalized and in critical condition from COVID19, religious leaders are finding unique ways to connect. While the norm may be to be at bedsides, in this unprecedented time where that isn’t possible, chaplains, rabbis, and priests are using FaceTime and texting to connect with members of their communities and offer prayer and blessings.

As social distancing is preventing community members to pay proper respects to those who passed, people are inventing new ways to connect with one another and celebrate both life and death. This piece features examples of such. One example is a family marking the passing of a matriarch by sending a mass email asking people to raise a glass in her memory. Another is a public online Seder hosted over Zoom.

Hosting business meetings over Zoom is nothing new during the coronavirus pandemic, but performing artists are also using the platform and adapting their work to the videoconferencing software. After initial performances were a success, an LA theater company called Theater Unleashed began experimenting with the platform and created a Facebook group for U.S. playwrights and actors who wish to participate. An Atlanta organization called Center for Puppetry Arts started hosting Zoom puppet shows. It isn't a seamless transition, but it is inviting creative adaption from creatives all across the country.

Despite coronavirus restrictions shifting to allow churches to reopen, across the U.S. many religious institutions are continuing their digital video conferencing options as a means of reaching a wider audience. The use of video streaming church services has eliminated the geographical constraints for many, but it has also introduced "challenging questions about what it means to be a church where some people can’t take part in defining activities."