The threat of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of many public meetings across the nation and in southeast Texas in particular. The concern about the possible spread of COVID-19 has caused local churches to devise new ways of worshiping with their congregations.
First Methodist Church in downtown Orange worshipped on Sunday together with the members practicing their social distancing and a few members staying home as prompted to do so. Pastor Lani Rousseau said that will change for her church the next couple of Sundays.
This week Rousseau replied she and her staff are rapidly learning new technology and how to use it for the coming weeks with virtual worship at First Methodist. The service may be live streamed or recorded in the style of each worship service according to Rousseau.
It is expected people should be able to tune into the services through the church’s Facebook page and a direct link to online at the church’s website. Rousseau hopes to put a large Bible study class she is leading during the Lenten season on a watch party with Facebook live also to allow for interaction with each other.
Pastor Rousseau is aware of the field and uses it herself for fun activities like quilting. “Now is the time for me to personally have to play with this stuff and find a way to reach other people for Jesus Christ using this technology that’s right there in front of us, we just have to know how to use it,” Rousseau concluded.
Pastor Mike Umbenhaur at First Presbyterian Church in Orange will be doing similar efforts the next couple of weeks for his congregation. Umbenhaur indicated he will record his sermon for at least the next couple of weeks. The sermon will then be put on YouTube for members to watch if they do not feel comfortable attending the still scheduled service each Sunday morning.
First Baptist Church of Vidor went to a virtual service this past Sunday when there was a possible coronavirus exposure to a few church members. A person from Houston who may have been exposed to COVID-19 came to Orange County on Tuesday, March 10, and met with several members of the church.
The church in Vidor notified its members via its website on Thursday, March 12, about the possible contact and the cancellation of the services beginning the weekend of March 15. The church’s website has updated as of Monday, March 16, that a person of concern has tested negative for COVID-19 thus preventing the possible exposure for their congregation to the virus.
Bishop Andy Doyle of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas notified the churches in the diocese on Friday, March 13, to engage in virtual worship for at least the next two weeks. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Orange cancelled its worship services on March 15. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont offered worship through Facebook live on Sunday, March 15.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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