Religious leaders get creative to keep people connected while social distancing

Reporter: Sydney Persing
Published:
Temple Beth El congregation gathers for online coffee. (WINK News)

For the first time in a long time, no one is at Temple Beth El.

“Even online we can still touch each other’s hearts, and each other’s souls,” said Rabbi Nicole Luna.

Souls separated, but not silenced.

Rabbi Luna “meets” her congregants for morning coffee. She invited us to join.

We’re just checking in saying how we’re doing! Ruth, Ruth and Joy, you want to share how you’re doing?”

It’s the challenge every faith leader’s learning to navigate. How do you keep the physically isolated spiritually connected?

New Hope Church takes to YouTube.

The Bible, it tells us do not neglect or forsake the meeting together, and all of a sudden we can’t meet together,” said the church’s pastor.

For how long? Who knows?

“Your pastor hasn’t pastored through a pandemic before,” he said.

Nobody knows who will stay online, or if they’ll ever come back to fill the pews.

For some, like Temple member Laurie, it’s not even a question. “That is an experience you want to have in the presence of other people.”

Until that’s safe, it’s one step, one service and one satellite coffee at a time.

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