By: Russell Bowers

Over the last two years, the pandemic has disrupted daily lives and rituals that many never thought possible. Most have been deprived – sometimes by mandate, sometimes by choice – the simple act of gathering together as neighbours, friends and families.

One institution that has seen restrictions affect its practices is the Church. Regardless of faith or denomination, places of worship have seen a diminished ability to comfort others and provide solitude for reflection. 

However, as restrictions created obstacles, for some congregations, it has opened their eyes to new possibilities.

Reverend Amanda Taylor at St. Mark’s Anglican Church has noticed changes in how some demographics want to interact with her worship group.

‘Connection to Church’

“I don’t want to be too exclusive when I say this,” she begins, “but in a general sense, for our younger population, online is where it is for them. For my generation, we’re sort of in between and most times, there is no replacement for ‘in person.’ However, I spoke with one young person, probably 30-ish, and she made the comment, (COVID restrictions) ‘have been awesome for me because online is where I want to live.’”

Captain Sheldon Bungay of the Salvation Army has also noticed changes for his congregants.

“People’s entire connection to church, in general, has been impacted and changed,” he notes. 

“What COVID has done is speed up the inevitable. We were already moving away from thinking that church only happens within the four walls of a building. That we need to get outside and make an impact on our community, and be participants in the fight for justice and all those things. (The Pandemic) really pushed us ahead. So for me, that is putting volunteers and staff in place so we can increase our online presence. We’ve moved significantly to online at the St. John’s Temple.”

For many churches, online has meant broadcasting services via Facebook and other social platforms, as well as ecclesial websites. Yet, in the case of Reverend Oliver Dingwell, the timing has been serendipitous. His congregation at Cowan Heights United is his first since his ordination as a minister.

“The Seminary did not train me for this at all!” he laughs. “I graduated with my Master of Divinity, and the last three weeks of my degree studies were completely online.

“I think an advantage I had was that I wasn’t bogged down by things having to be done a certain way. So when it came to working together and troubleshooting to find creative solutions, I didn’t have too much baggage. Cowan Heights had been without a minister for two years, so they were willing to think outside the box as we navigated the initial stages of the pandemic. We were all open to trying new things, see what was going to work, and I was so grateful for them to take those kinds of risks.”

Tentative Nature

Reverends Taylor and Dingwell, as well as Capt Bungay are all relatively new in their roles at their respective churches. None knew what their parishioners were like or expected in the days before COVID. When restrictions in the province lifted on March 14, all noticed a tentative nature to the first Sunday that followed.

“We have vulnerable people in our community; seniors, the immunocompromised, we have children, and we wanted to make sure that everyone could feel safe,” remembers Rev. Dingwall.

“We still encourage physical distancing. We’re still asking people to wear masks as they move around the building. They can remove their masks if they are comfortable once they’re seated, but this past Sunday, of the 70 people in church, only two people took their masks off.”

At the Salvation Army Temple, Capt. Bungay noticed simple acts that were once commonplace took on new meaning for the 140 people attending services on March 20. 

“People were no longer offering their hand for a handshake, they were still keeping their distance a little bit,” he concedes. “In my pastoral role, showing up for people at their time of need is one of the most significant things we can do. Before, we would very quickly show up at a hospital bedside or in a person’s home. We no longer have that luxury and so a lot of our pastoral services have pivoted to online or through phone calls, distanced visits on a patio or front lawn.

“But,” he adds, “that’s key. Still showing up.”

Very Humbling

For most Christian denominations, Good Friday and Easter Sunday occupies a special place in the liturgical calendar and as those services come closer, all three officiants anticipate the possibility of different experiences. For Rev. Taylor, Easter Sunday will be her first sermon at St. Mark’s. Plus, it will be broadcast on NTV.

“When you’re in front of a congregation, you can read the body language to know when you’re resonating with people. But if they’re reading the bulletin or counting the tiles, then you can pivot. You say to yourself, ‘I got to shake it up.’ But when you’re looking at a webcam, you don’t get that, so it’s very humbling, because all you can do is go on to Facebook and we’d look up the numbers and say, ‘Oh, look, we’ve reached, a thousand people.’”

“COVID has forced us to rethink what should the Church be doing in 2022,” adds Capt. Bungay of the Salvation Army. 

“I think the days of sitting in a church expecting people to show up on our doorstep are very quickly moving beyond us. Now we need to be asking what does the Church do beyond its walls?

“And it’s not necessarily standing on a street corner with a bullhorn telling people about Christian values and what they should be doing with their lives. It’s simply coming alongside people, offering them help and hope. We need to get into the community, to remind people that they are loved – that they have their own gifts and talents and all those things are valued and loved and supported.” Ultimately, when it comes to the symbolism of Easter, much of what the world has been through is not lost on Rev. Dingwell.

See the Hope

“The Gospel of John says while it was still dark, Mary went to the tomb.  That’s kind of where we are – entering this season of joy, while it’s still dark. Just because the restrictions are gone, there is still this cold around us, a heaviness, an anxiety,” Rev. Dingwell explains.

“But we can see the light before us. And we can see the hope. In theological terms, we can see the hope in resurrection, of new life, new possibilities.

“Mary in the Gospel of John, doesn’t recognize Jesus after his resurrection and so, the Church is different coming out of COVID. Unless something like the pandemic happened to force us to think in new and creative ways, we just wouldn’t be doing them. There’s some real hope here for the kind of possibilities that lie ahead.”

For more visit: ntv.ca/category/programs/sunday-services/

As some prepare to celebrate Easter with family and friends this year, others won’t be gathered about tables piled high with food and sweets. 

Facing a variety of mental health challenges, addictions and life’s circumstances, many of our fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will spend the holy season quietly at home, or in safe havens like The Gathering Place in St. John’s. 

While there’s a whole host of reasons for being or feeling isolated, for too many the cause stems from abuse. 

The former Mount Cashel Orphanage, operated by the Irish Christian Brothers, is sadly well known for the abuse some of its staff and clergy inflicted upon young boys in their care during the 1940s, ‘50s and 60s. 

Described as Tragic

On Feb. 15th, 1989 the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary re-opened its 1975 investigation into child abuse on those premises. Soon after, the provincial government of the day established a Royal Commission, headed by retired Ontario Supreme Court Judge, Samuel Hughes, to investigate what occurred. 

What was uncovered could only be described as tragic, and bottom line, despite multiple and repeated complaints to authorities, everyone – from multiple government officials to the police to local newspapers – ignored what was being reported. Now, a generation later, following court battles galore, the local Catholic Church prepares to sell off many of their assets to pay restitution to those who suffered. 

As a result, many churches throughout the province will not be holding mass inside their stained-glass buildings this Easter season. The list of buildings and churches being sold to pay for the sins of those few in charge back in the day is long and few communities are spared.  

Basilica Complex will be sold. So too will St. Patrick’s and St. Teresa’s Parish churches. Corpus Christi, St. Pius X, the church that held so many heartfelt tribute services to those lost on the Ocean Ranger, Mary Queen of Peace Parish will all be sold. St. Edwards in Kelligrews too. Holy Family? Gone. St. Peter’s, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Trinity. The list goes on. And the emotional impact is real. 

Generations were married in these churches. Children were baptized and received their first Holy Communion. Loved ones were laid to rest. Thousands upon thousands of school children over the years twisted and turned and squirmed in their wooden pews near friends doing the same as they were taught the rosary and learned to recite the well known prayer that begins, “Our Father…” as part of their schooling. Memories were made. 

Laughter was shared. Tears were shed. 

Feel the pain

Now? It’s all gone. What makes this tale of abuse and restitution even more sad is that none of this will go far enough. 

Lawyer Geoff Budden, who represents survivors, has said he’s pleased the Catholic Church is moving ahead selling assets to pay the awarded claim, which includes the Archbishop’s residence in Outer Cove, but the properties sold won’t go near far enough. 

The total judgement was for $2.7 million, to be split between four men, but the claims are not complete and there’s well over 60 more men from Budden’s law firm alone that require compensation for abuse suffered at the hands of those in a position of power within the Catholic church. Tragic. Sad. Terrible. 

It’s all those things, but while my heart breaks for all those who suffered abuse, I can’t help but feel the pain of the many parishioners who, though no fault of their own, following decades of faithful attendance and church dues, must now walk away from their church, never to return again. 

While restitution usually means dollar signs, it’s so clear that the costs runs so much higher than monetary.

Pam Pardy, The Herald’s Managing Editor, can be reached by emailing pghent@nfldherald.com

The Salvation Army in Conception Bay South have faithful church attendees from all over the world these days, says Major Chris Pilgrim. 

With the largest online following of any church in the province – averaging 2000+ following and watching the service at home from the church’s location in CBS every Sunday on Facebook and YouTube – Pastor Pilgrim shared it all came about because there was a need. 

‘The first lockdown’

“When we had the first lockdown, we felt the need to do something when it came to holding church services, but how could we do it when we weren’t allowed in our buildings?” he opened.  Having a “somewhat musically gifted family,” Pilgrim decided to try holding services from his living room. 

“There were five of us and we just decided that we would give it a try so we went live on a Sunday evening just with our family and from there it just took off.”

The response has been amazing, he added. 

“It’s just incredible how the audience just gravitated to the ministry that we were putting out. I guess the old traditional songs that we were singing and our style of worship people enjoyed and it brought about, I believe, some encouragement and a message of hope that people needed during some of the darkest times that they’d ever seen.”

Challenging place

 Keeping the faith, so to speak, helped cope with “the uncertainties that the pandemic brought,” he added.  

“At least they had something to look forward to on Sunday, particularly to those who were faithful church attenders for years and all of a sudden church doors are closed and they can’t attend. It put some in a very challenging place and we were able to provide a service that brought about some hope and gave folks something to look forward to every Sunday, even if it was from their homes.”

The buildings may have been closed, he added, but church services could continue. 

Online presence

Even though church has resumed, they still keep up their online presence, he added. “We have a worldwide following, or a global following. Every Sunday when we go live we have a thousand plus viewers. We’re huge on YouTube as well, with 6,000 hits each service. By the end of the week through Facebook Live we get 20,000 plus views.”

Receiving messages from all over the world is inspirational, Pilgrim added,  “It is just truly remarkable how far reaching this is. It’s brought us to a whole new era of ministry that we never, ever felt we would get to. But it’s just incredible to know of the following and the interest and the encouragement that people give us weekly and the thrill for us is that we know they have the privilege of enjoying church from the comfort and safety of home.” 

Pilgrim says he recognizes many are still struggling. Is there a message at this time of year he’d like to get out to those in need?

“Christmas has become commercialized as we all know, and I think it’s taken the joy out of what this season should be about. You know the old Christmas song that says that this is the most wonderful time of the year? I think many people would push back on that and say, ‘not a chance,’ with the commercialism and the hustle and bustle of it all it’s taken some of the joy away.” 

The message he would put forth is simple. “Get back to the basics of what this season is all about, where it all originated and that is the birth of Jesus. He came to give us hope, peace, joy and love, not just this time of the year, but throughout our lives in the midst of the chaos,” he shared.

“We can gravitate to that message to find peace, he added. Remember Matthew 1:23 which says, So all this was done that it might be fulfilled that which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ Pilgrim shared. “God is with us. And we can, I think, hold fast to that message all throughout the year and hold to it through a pandemic or whatever it is that we’re going through. I guess that’s the message I wanted to bring out. That’s the truth of it for us.”  

NTV’s Sunday Service

NTV has been helping connect viewers to their faith as well, airing Sunday church services from local parishes each Sunday morning at 10:30 A.M. 

Lindsey Andrews, the General Manager at NTV/OZFM and The Newfoundland Herald, shared that the Sunday Service homepage has received over 15,226 page views since the program launched back in April 2020.

It started off with four churches in rotation, Andrews explained; Salvation Army in CBS, Bethesda Pentecostal Church on MacDonald Drive in St. John’s, St. Mark’s Anglican Church on Logy Bay Road in St. John’s and St. Peter’s Parish Roman Catholic Church in Mount Pearl.

 A number of months ago, the United Church in Cowan Heights was added to the rotation as well.

“NTV is very proud, in these pandemic times, to be able to help folks stay connected through their faith,” Andrews shared.

“It has been simply amazing to realize that so many of our viewers watch the weekly Sunday Service program. NTV genuinely appreciates the commitment of the five church denominations for providing their services for us to broadcast,” he added.

This time of year especially, when so many usually attend church services with family, having access to options is important. Spreading a message filled with peace, joy, and hope is always important, but it’s perhaps even more special and more needed at Christmas.

Blessed Christmas

Andrews says he knows the good that has come out of helping local churches spread their message of hope, because he hears regularly from appreciative viewers. It means so much, he shared, to know how much joy NTV has helped spread when it was needed the most.

Any final words, we ask. Andrews nodded. “On behalf of all of us at NTV, have a blessed Christmas season.”

Fore more visit: ntv.ca/category/programs/sunday-services/

“If I can’t help, I won’t hurt,” is a long-held personal philosophy of mine, so is “kill them with kindness.” 

With few exceptions, a dispute with me will have me saying, “well, bless your heart” even if it’s through clenched teeth. I’ll resort to a comical retort before uttering something nasty, at the very least.  

busy being fabulous

I’m also the first to admit my flaws are many. I’m often much too busy being fabulous as I like to say – or busy being busy, as others claim – and those who could use a little more of me just being present, quiet and still don’t always get what they wish for. 

Also, much to the horror of my clean-freak kin, if cleanliness – as in freshly dusted surfaces and Pine-sol-clad hallways – are next to godliness, I’ll never, ever call Mount Olympus home. 

My purse is such a state that if any ne’er-do-well were to snatch it, they’d give up searching for valuables and return it to save themselves the hassle. You get the picture. 

Even though I’ve long accepted myself – and the flaws and fabulous that come with that – I also humbly admit I’ve been putting a lot of work into finding the best me over the years. 

I’ve always been a person of great faith, but I also believe in the power of positive thinking and manifestation. You know, be the person you want to attract and remove as much of the ‘haters gonna hate’ energy as you can if you plan on living your best life, and all that good stuff. 

personal goals

Combining peaceful religious conviction with uplifting self-help strategies can help achieve personal goals. Focusing thoughts upon any desired outcome makes sense to me, and so all that law of attraction stuff has been helpful.

When I turned 50, I was reminded that it’s highly likely that I’ve lived longer than I’m going to. That was an eye opener. So was the realization that the dash that exists between our birth year and our death year is where all the important stuff happens and so I’ve made a commitment to live that dash and to follow my dreams and to ask for what I want  because no one else will. 

Why does all this matter as we head into Christmas and the new year? Well, being at peace with the things out of our control helps. 

Accepting God’s plan adds peace, but there are things we have control over too. I’ve all but eliminated the doubters and the bring-you-downers and the bullies from my life. My circle might be smaller, but it’s way more healthy for me.

‘I will attract’

While muttering “I will not chase, I will attract,” and “I am enough,” have been powerful and uplifting, so has focusing on my faith.  Matthew 15:11 reminds me to be kind; “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth,” will never lead  me astray.  

Often the missing puzzle piece at Christmas as we search the stores for that perfect present is the knowledge that the best gift to give and receive costs so little. That gift is kindness and love. 

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Faith is something we are all told to keep within our minds and our souls since our early ages of living.

Celebrating religion and God is something that many people of Newfoundland and Labrador enjoy. Sharing your beliefs and your faith is one of the ways people use to connect. 

Deep Faith in God

Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and other variants, celebrating our faith or even sharing it, has become more difficult. 

“When the Church went into lockdown, it felt as if the world we lived in had come to an end,” said Ellen Picco, a frequent church goer. “We could not receive the sacraments and it felt as if we were living in a world without direction.” 

Picco goes on to say how her deep faith in God helped her believe that we would one day see the end of this pandemic. 

Grow Stronger

At first, it wasn’t easy. For strong believers in faith and God, the church serves the people of its community in a way that no other could. The Church helps to prepare people for the blessings of God throughout their lives. Attending service, in Picco’s eyes, is a way for people’s faith to grow even stronger. 

“The Roman Catholic Espocoial Corporation (RCEC) had become connected to its parishioners via social media and individuals have discovered various channels to receive the sacraments spiritually,” said Picco. “While it’s not the same as receiving the sacrament in person, for those of deep faith it’s the next best thing.” 

When churches did briefly re-open this past July, many parishioners did not feel safe in returning to church. They felt that with certain changes due to masks, that the true meaning was not there. 

Despite this Picco has kept her faith and believes through prayer we can get through these times of uncertainty. 

“I believe that we as Christians need to have a strong faith that will help us to stay positive in these times of fear,” said Picco. “It is faith that enables us to believe and to pray to God daily for protection not only for ourselves and our families but for those throughout the world. Faith is the one true gift from God that will lead us to an everlasting life of love.”

Nothing is Lost

Tim Lane is the lead pastor of True Life Church. True Life is a non-denominational church, meaning any type of religion is welcomed in their community. Lane says he sees people who are Christian, Pentecostal, Anglican, and even people with Salvation Army backgrounds. 

Lane says he was raised in the Church and beginning True Life was a no-brainer. He claims it to be his calling. 

“My father was a pastor,” said Lane. “It always felt right. I wanted to reach out to the people of St. John’s and build a new community around faith.”

Despite these hard times, Lane believes that just because we can’t all be together in one building celebrating faith there is no reason it should be lost. He says he has seen lots of new faces trying to find hope. 

Although he doesn’t believe God could create a pandemic like this, Lane believes the Lord is using it to his advantage. 

“People got forced to stop living life as normal, and with that, I think a lot of people started to look within,” said Lane. “The struggle has become more real for people and I think God is using this pandemic to show people that they need him.”

The most important thing to Lane is faith and keeping it. He says if it wasn’t for his close relationship with God, that he would have no hope himself. 

During these times, he believes that people should be acting as the Church and doing their part to spread their faith in the best way they can. 

Celebrate in one Place

“The best way we can celebrate our faith now is to reach out and help others,” said Lane. 

“Physically you can’t do it but you can certainly give someone a call, encourage them, or check in on them. There are a lot of lonely people out there and sometimes the Sunday morning service is the only connection that they got.”

Lane hopes the Church will be able to reopen soon and that everyone can be together celebrating in one place. Until that day he hopes people will spread the word of God and share their faith among others. 

“Without my relationship with God, I don’t know how I would make it through this,” said Lane.