Why virtual church needs to stay
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Why virtual church needs to stay

Attending church virtually became as common as mandates and rapid tests over the course of the past two years. Churches pivoted and adapted to the changing landscape that Covid-19 created, and many embraced technology to connect people virtually. This has been a saving grace for all of us. During strict lockdowns we were able to…

Applying what we’ve learned for a post-pandemic church
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Applying what we’ve learned for a post-pandemic church

Years ago, I developed a course entitled “Catechesis and Community,” looking at new forms of Christian community and how the faith was being transmitted in a post-Christendom world. I included a whole class on “online church.” At the time, the inclusion of a digital Christian presence was met with raised eyebrows as some openly asked,…

An online welcoming
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An online welcoming

When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, an Anglican convent in East Toronto, lost its three major ministries: our ministry of being a praying presence in Victoria, B.C.; our ministry of hosting quiet days and retreats in our guest house in Toronto; and our ministry of…

Zoom church
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Zoom church

Church leaders have written much on “how COVID-19 changes everything.” Yet it seems that the goal of church leaders is that everything should eventually return to normal, despite their protestations to the contrary. The literature suggests that some lasting effects of the pandemic will include more virtual congregations, individualism and (gasp) lower financial offerings. Will…