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During the lock down, clergy and lay stepped out of their comfort zones to explore the different options of online communication and worship. Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube became the platforms of choice, and by the time churches were getting ready to reopen, many had become "tech pros."
Through their efforts, clergy were able to see the far reaching effects of posting online. No longer limited to only members on a Sunday morning, online posts uncovered a broader audience both near and far! Churches with seasonal visitors or "snowbirds," as they are affectionately called, were delighted to see their mainland 'ohana join them on Zoom, and others found it convenient to be able to watch recorded services at any time. With the great response to online worship, most churches are continuing to offer them as part of their regular worship options. Online worship is also crucial to those who may still not feel comfortable worshiping in person, especially our kupuna and those with underlying health issues. In fact, the Customary recommends that our kupuna remain at home for their own safety. |
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When we first went into lockdown, I knew absolutely nothing about streaming live on Facebook, but was desperate to do something to keep the community connected through prayer. As a result, we developed a virtual morning prayer service that had a lot of glitches and comical errors. We expected to reach perhaps 20 people a day and was stunned to find out that over 200 people a day were participating. Because of the need to meet for our worshiping community, especially those at high risk for COVID-19, we have decided to continue virtual morning prayer into the future, even though we are back for public worship on Sunday mornings. -- The Rev. Cn. Moki Hino, The Cathedral of St. Andrew, Honolulu
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ST. PETER'S, Honolulu
People were welcomed to return, but we encouraged those who are high risk or who have concerns, to join us by internet. We are one congregation whether gathering in the church or at home! I want to add a "shout out" to Manny Dayao as our "tech guy." He is our Lay Associate for Worship and Music and normally plays the piano at our 7:30am service, but during this COVID time, he has taken on the role as our Techno Wizard and has been doing an awesome job! In returning to the sanctuary, we have begun using a new program called Switcher to live stream and record, and Manny has very quickly (it's only been two Sundays!) learned how to switch between camera views, add split screens, titles, etc. He's really making it look like a professional recording. Our challenge has been the wi-fi connectivity. St. Peter's is an area of high competition for the air waves. We're still working on that. -- The Rev. Diane Martinson, St. Peter's, Honolulu A funny side note from Pastor Diane: A parking lot greeter is present at both services with a 6’ fiberglass pole to humorously and visually remind people to maintain 6’ distancing. |
It was a priceless time to be at St. Peter’s again. You planned our safe return perfectly. The service gave us much thought for our many blessings. The music was most memorable! -- (St. Peter's Member)
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ST. MARK'S, Honolulu
No matter how hard we tried to reach people online during this pandemic, many people still felt there was no substitute for gathering in person, and this was a trait that appeared throughout all the generations, young and old alike. People were eager to regather in the church, as it is a holy place that has been soaked with prayer throughout the ages whether that is today or in the past by our ancestors. Holy places still have a power to bring people into God’s presence. -- The Rev. Paul Lillie, St. Mark's, Honolulu PARISH OF ST. CLEMENT, Honolulu - [It's been] crazy, exhausting, but wonderful! How amazing is it that we gather together in worship from all different places including our own sanctuary?! -- The Rev. Heather Hill, The Parish of St. Clement, Honolulu
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ST. NICHOLAS, Kapolei
St. Nicholas came together for Morning Prayer on Sunday, June 21, 2020. They met near the hula mound in Kapolei Regional Park, behind Fort Barrett and the Kapolei Archery Range, in the shade of a tree. The congregation liked meeting there and decided to meet there again next week. Doug Brown updated everyone on the status of our regular meeting location (Makakilo Recreation Center). It won't be open until late August or early September. Then we will have the first two Sundays whenever it reopens. It's an experiment today. It's nice not to set up in a 'church' sort of way. -- Kala Holden The service was quite refreshing and doing it outdoors with all of God's glorious creation surrounding us was very uplifting! -- David Jones, St. Nicholas, Kapolei |
(Photos by David Jones)
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ST. JAMESʻ, Kamuela & ST. COLUMBA'S, Paʻauilo
The congregations of St. James' are currently meeting for worship at three different sites in open air environments: The St. James' Thrift Store lanai, the Kawaihae Canoe Club, and St. Columba's. They have also been well prepared for social distancing, having live-streamed their services for a few years now. (Photos from their website video.) |
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON WEST KAUAʻI
After two months of empty, lonesome churches due to the Covid 19 epidemic, we were finally able to open up St. John’s and St. Paul’s. Our pre-opening checklist included cleaning the carpets, wiping down all pews and furniture with disinfectant, and cleaning the Restrooms. Many cheerful volunteers worked hard to complete the cleaning and disinfecting in preparation for Sunday. Professional cleaners also helped at St. John’s. We had a small but joyful celebration of Pentecost. -- Lynn Barker, Bishop's Warden, Episcopal Church on West Kauaʻi
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ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi
An analogy I have been teaching our members is that we are like Moses and the Israelites wandering in the desert -- we have moved past the "slavery" of the lockdown phase, yet we are also progressing toward the "Promised Land" of true freedom. We are in the in-between stage of the "Desert Wanderings," in that we are meeting but in a modified fashion that is evolving as we move forward together. -- The Rev. David Jackson, All Saints', Kauaʻi Besides the practice of social distancing and the wearing of masks, Vikki and I are happy to be back to attend church service physically again with our church families. We do miss the fellowship gathering after the 9:30 Sunday service. -- Nelson Secretario, All Saints', Kauaʻi
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Click above to go to the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i's main website.
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