(Zaobao News) Christmas this year was spent under the epidemic. The churches strictly abide by the epidemic prevention measures. Measures such as online appointments, body temperature measurement, and seat partitioning are not relaxed at all to ensure the safety of believers during the festival.
During the second phase of the current virus blocking measures, religious venues only allow up to 100 people to attend religious gatherings and ceremonies at the same time.
Most local churches did not participate in a pilot project to increase the number of people to 250. In the case of Catholic churches, only about 10% of the 32 churches participated in the pilot program. The Church of the Holy Spirit, located on the upper part of Thomson Road and with about 5,000 church members, has been trialing up to 250 people since last month. It is also the first church to be piloted.
The Holy Spirit Church hosts three worship services on Christmas Eve, and today there are four worship services. The church strictly abides by the safety management measures. The main hall that can accommodate 2000 people is divided into two floors, divided into five areas, and each area can only accommodate 50 people. Separate the districts and maintain a distance of at least three meters. The church also only allows believers who make an appointment online.
Father Richards Ambrose of the Holy Spirit Church said that some believers were uncomfortable with online appointments and other measures at first, but now most people have adapted. “The believers cannot go to church during Easter in April. Now Christmas, believers are very pleased to be able to participate in group worship activities again… Regrettably, each worship currently only allows a maximum of 250 people, and there are still many believers who cannot participate. “
Some churches that have begun trials to admit as many as 250 people are still cautious and have not allowed the number to reach the upper limit.
The Toa Payoh English Church of the Methodist Church, which has about 1,200 followers, participated in the pilot program at the end of last month. At the beginning, it was only open for admission to a maximum of 150 people. At the beginning of last month, the upper limit was relaxed to 200 people. This limit is still maintained during Christmas. The church divides the 900-person sanctuary into four sections. The church holds two worship services on Christmas Eve and three on Christmas Day.
A church spokesperson said: “We must do our best to ensure the safety of the church environment. In view of the current safety management measures that must be followed, we should first ensure that we can calmly cope with the relevant arrangements for the maximum number of 200 people before considering further relaxation.”
For many Christians, being able to participate in physical Christmas worship has far-reaching significance.
Wen Peihong (57 years old, retired), a member of the Toa Payoh English Church of the Methodist Church, said that although the process of participating in worship activities through online live broadcast was smooth and convenient, he always felt that something was missing. “Since the authorities have allowed believers to return to church, I have chosen to participate in physical worship. It is a blessing to be able to listen to sermons with other believers in the church at Christmas, and everyone can greet each other despite the distance.”
Feng Jianlin (30 years old), a product manager who belongs to the same church, said that this year’s epidemic made him realize that the true meaning of Christmas is the care between relatives and friends. “During this period, the faithful helped each other, including donating electronic devices to the faithful in need so that they could watch online worship activities. Although technology can make up for some of the shortcomings caused by social distancing, it can never replace everyone’s participation in worship in church. Experience.”
Lawrence Jeremiah (55 years old, Lawrence Jeremiah), a member of the Holy Spirit Church, has been attending the Holy Spirit Church since he was 12 years old. The school manager has been a church volunteer for more than 30 years. This year he encountered the Coronavirus epidemic. A challenging year.
He said that after the outbreak, the church was closed during the blocking measures, and many church members, including him, felt lost.
“As believers, we have a sense of belonging to the church. Worshiping online at home makes me feel different, especially not being able to participate in Eucharist, which makes it difficult for me to adapt. Although as devout believers, we can do it anywhere. Worship. But coming to church will bring us closer to our faith.”
Lawrence has participated in the voluntary work of the church since he was a child. Now he is the chairman of the Pastoral Committee of the Holy Spirit Church and is also responsible for managing the protocol department.
He pointed out that there are many changes to adapt to this year, especially to help the church make arrangements for various safety management measures, and explain to some faithful the need to strictly implement various epidemic prevention measures.
“In the past, members of the church could come to the church at any time, but now we have to make an appointment. At first, we had to take a little patience to explain to the members. But as a member, I am happy to serve the church and help the church resume physical worship activities and restore the past Lively atmosphere.”
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