In times of uncertainty or tragedy, many often turn to their faith to guide them through it. 

But that’s not easy these days as churches, synagogues, temples and mosques — like all other gathering places — are mostly closed to the public as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Even though most of their doors may not be open, area religious leaders want their congregations and others to know that they have not been forgotten. 

“Just like everyone else, the impact changes from day to day but the church is still the church even when we aren’t meeting — in order to protect ourselves and our neighbors from getting the COVID-19 virus,” said Pastor David Brandfass, of Christ Lutheran Sedona. “We exist to share the gospel, but we know we also exist for the sake of the world. During this time of what seems to be a lot of hoarding, we continue to follow our Lord’s pattern of giving his life away for the sake of our world and our neighbor in need.” 

Brandfass said one of the biggest impacts upon their congregations is not meeting as they are accustomed to. 

“Most congregations have a strong sense of community and fellowship,” he said. “So this time of being in exile from our worship spaces causes us to grieve the valued relationship between all of our people. 

“I’ve also heard from several visitors who come year after year and worship with us about how much they miss that expe­rience now. We certainly miss them and getting caught up on what has happened in their lives since they returned to wherever home is.” 

Christ Lutheran Sedona is reaching out through the phone, text messages, social media, video chat platforms and the like. Worship services are posted online and there is “an uplifting amount” of partici­pation through these online resources, Brandfass said. 

These days, you might drive past a church and see no cars and leave thinking nothing is going on. However, Brandfass said nothing could be further from the truth. 

“As a pastor I’m working harder, longer and smarter right now,” he said. “A day feels like a week and a week feels like a month’s time. My own under­standing of this crisis is that I need to prepare for a marathon and stop running at a sprinter’s pace. There is a lot of coordina­tion going on behind the scenes as we carry out ministries in new ways.” 

Staying Connected 

Like others, Rabbi Alicia Magal of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley said they’re doing their best during these times when there are often more questions than answers. 

“We are facing a chal­lenge for which we were not prepared,” Magal said. “But we are resourceful and want to stay connected, even at a time when, for safety and continued good health, we must remain physi­cally isolated.” 

Over a period of a week or two, Magal said her congregation began to connect, first by phone with every congregant and then by Zoom for daily check-ins, sharing of poems and uplifting readings. In addition, they held a Friday evening live-streamed Shabbat service from the empty sanctuary through a Facebook group.

“Congregants and their friends who had not known about interac­tive meetings learned quickly and were delighted with the possibility of seeing each other’s faces and continuing to study and worship together in a whole new way,” Magal said.

She added that as the rabbi, Magal has made it a priority of learning new technology with the help of a “very patient and experienced congregant” so that they could even offer a Seder through Zoom from their home on the second night of Passover.

“People reached out to ask if anyone needed help with shopping and several members made generous donations to synagogue funds to help other congregants whose sources of income had suddenly stopped,” she said. “I think through this ordeal our faith and our connection have been strengthened, and will continue to grow when we are once again able to congregate in the synagogue.

“We pray for all those who are continuing to work in essential jobs in our community: Our health care workers, in the mail delivery system, in grocery stores and phar­macies, delivery services and our local newspaper.”

A Renewed Priority

Rev. Fred Mast, of Sedona United Methodist Church, made it clear that while the building itself may be closed temporarily, the church is open in many ways.

“Certainly, the COVID-19 virus has impacted normal church opera­tions and activities in so many ways,” he said. “We are a very active church, bustling with activi­ties seven days a week and all of those activities — and the many different groups that meet at the church — are currently not able to do so.

“So many of our members and friends from our community depend on the church as a place of gathering, a place where they find compan­ionship, and this is probably the hardest part. It has also stretched us to become more dependent on tech­nology in order to provide worship, study, and outreach, and support to the community.”

Mast said he encourages people to find ways in which to reach out to one another via phone, email, text or cards. Many within their local congregations fall into what he called “concern categories” of those who might be most affected.

“That is unsettling, as I myself can check off three of the areas of concern,” he said. “That is why our faith is so very important to us. We know that God has promised us in multiple places within scripture to never leave us or forsake us.

“This difficult time we are expe­riencing has truly put a renewed priority for most pastors on reaching out and shepherding their flocks more than ever; it has honed our focus away from the day-to-day stuff we sometimes find ourselves buried in. And that is a blessing.”

While they are not meeting in person, Mast said his Methodist church is offering online worship, Bible study, devotions and team meetings to ensure the missions and ministries of the church continue. The church’s Caring Lay Ministry Team is assisting Mast in reaching out to members and friends of the community. They are also working on Easter activities including an online Easter Bunny hunt.

“We are providing support to the community, helping those who should not or cannot get out in delivering supplies they may need,” he said.

Worshipping Creatively

Rev. Cindy Parker, of the Church of the Red Rocks, said it’s important that a church is not defined by its brick-and-mortar exterior but rather the people inside.

“So far, most of the members that I’ve talked to are able to reach out to one another and share God’s love throughout our community in many creative ways during this difficult time,” Parker said. “Paying it forward in the drive-thru line, making food to drop off for those in need or who are alone, collecting food and clothing for those living in their cars or in tents, distrib­uting food during Sedona’s weekly community supper. This changes one’s perspective from ‘how am I struggling? to ‘who can I help?’”

Isolation is the biggest concern, Parker said. She’s encouraged the members of her church to reach out in some way to help them feel connected to God and one another.

“We pray together. By lifting them in prayer it reminds them that they aren’t alone, that God is with them every step of the journey,” she said.

The congregation still worships together, but virtually. Their services can be viewed live on the church’s Facebook account on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. In addition, congrega­tion members have been connecting through the Zoom teleconferencing app for virtual meetings.

“I have virtual office hours and Bible studies where our members can interact and see one another,” Parker said. “I think these challenging times have drawn us together. Gratitude abounds. People are grateful for the small things now more than ever like a phone call, a card, an email, a walk around the block or a hike. Grace abounds. People are reaching out and taking care of each other in ways that have inspired others to reach out of their comfort zones.”