Keeping the Faith New pastors can't be with their flocks
Many pastors are feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic as they are separated from the congregants they serve.
But two county clerics find themselves in the unique position of having been recently appointed to lead their churches, yet unable to get to know those who normally fill the pews.
The Rev. Bonnie Taylor started her job April 1 at Faith United Presbyterian in Butler and West Sunbury United Presbyterian.
“It is really difficult,” Taylor said. “Truthfully, I have met once with each Session and then the virus hit.”
Both churches were closed before she began her job.
“I don't even have keys to the buildings yet,” Taylor said. “It's a crazy start.”
She said members have worshiped with her online since her first service on Palm Sunday, when she recorded her sermon and put it on YouTube.
“That's been a steep learning curve for me, to learn how to video and then import it and create a video in iMovie, then post it on YouTube,” Taylor said. “Usually there are several people in a worship service, but it's pretty much just been me since I started.”
She has been telephoning church members or mailing sermons on Monday mornings to some.
“There are a lot of members in both churches who don't do any technology,” Taylor said.
Communities of faith
While she hasn't met any of her congregation members or even the staff or administration team at either church, Taylor said communities of true faith always survive.
“It really builds faith and confidence that the spirit is at work regardless of what is going on in the world,” she said.
The search process to secure a pastor for the two churches began before people in the United States were taking the virus seriously, she said.
“I think, really, the congregation members are the ones taking a leap of faith with having me come on board in the middle of all this,” said Taylor, who lives in the manse at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, where her husband is pastor.
“Ours is a people and relationship business, so this is a test,” Taylor said. “I am excited to get to meet them, and I'm truly grateful for the wonderful way people from Butler have reached out to me.”
Her congregation plans to hold a celebration if and when the pandemic restrictions are lifted.
“It was supposed to be before Easter,” Taylor said. “It'll probably be closer to June, I would think.”
She also laments the closing of churches, as they serve as election precincts, municipal meetings, gathering places and other uses for the community at large.
“It's hard for everybody,” Taylor said.
Supporting one another
The Rev. Larry Maley conducted one Sunday service on March 8 as interim pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Prospect and Mount Nebo Presbyterian Church.On March 15 — the next Sunday — members thought they were coming to services only to learn that the buildings were being shut down by the presbytery.“On the negative side, I don't know the spiritual needs of the people,” Maley said. “Normally, I spend the first several months getting to know everybody. In this case, I didn't get to know anybody.”But given the congregations' dedication to checking on one another to ensure everyone has groceries, rides to the doctor and sometimes money, Maley said the positive side of the situation far outweighs the negative.“I'm thrilled at the response of the people,” he said. “They are anxious to return to worship, but in the interim, they are communicating and supporting one another.“They are demonstrating what it means to be a Christian community.”Because the churches' combined website does not have the memory capability for video, he records his sermon each week along with daily devotionals, and members can listen to those audio files on the website, Maley said.While he has not performed any weddings or baptisms, he did conduct a funeral at a local funeral home for the family of a church member who had died of a non-COVID-19 illness.He said only immediate family attended the service.“But they can't experience the fullness of the community being together where they celebrate and worship together and feel God's fullness,” Maley said.A time of introspectionHe said the virus and its accompanying crisis for society has created a time of introspection and consideration by all members of society.“People learn about their faith and demonstrate their faith,” Maley said. “I think that's true of people of all religions and even people who might not be religious.”Maley, who has been a lawyer, judge, the president of a television station and an adjunct professor of business at Ohio University, imagines he will remain the two churches' interim pastor at least until the pandemic restrictions are lifted.His current job in Prospect, which has become part-time during the pandemic, is his eighth interim pastor position after stints in Niagara Falls, Omaha, St. Louis and other places.Maley is delighted with his current congregation members and their penchant for caring for one another.“I'm anxious to get back to full time so I can get to know these people,” he said. “They are demonstrating that they are caring, love God's word and want to be faithful Christians.“They really want to be a loving witness for Christ in the community.”Given his faithful flock, Maley is not worried about the congregations reconvening when the pandemic ends.“It's an inconvenience and I think we'll learn some new things about how to be God's people,” he said.
