Religious leaders turning to tech to hold their flocks together

Their traditions go back millennia, but COVID-19 is forcing change uponchurches, mosquesand synagogues across Ottawa.

Friday prayers, shivas and christenings are among the sacred events getting a modern-day makeover, thanks to the coronavirus.

Ontario's state of emergency means gatherings of more than 50 people are banned, but even before the edict, most placesof worship in Ottawa had decided to halt services to help stem the spread of the respiratory illness.

• 'No gatherings of over 50' among new recommendations to curb spread of COVID-19

Instead, faith leaders are using technology to minister to their flocksat a time when many need extra solace.

Churches

"The church is the people," said Rev. Brent Stiller, rector and senior pastor at St. Peter's and St. Paul's Anglican Church in Ottawa. "We're called to continue to love and serve one another, in whatever context we find ourselves."

Thenew context means posting the Sunday service on Facebook. It means creating a roster for parish members to lead dailyprayer online. It means suspending communion.

But this Sunday, there will be a christening. Immediate family will gather around the baptismal font, in front of empty pews. The rest of the congregation will follow alongon Facebook Live.

I think in these times, we have a very pronounced sense of our mortality and our need for one another.- Rev. Brent Stiller, St. Peter's and St. Paul's Anglican Church

The changes aren't just in cyberspace. Instead of its usual hot soupand social hour on Friday nights, the church isoffering afree take-away meal, in keeping withthe latest virtue: along with faith, hopeand charitycomes social distancing.

Stiller sees an opportunity in the COVID-19 crisis. "Absolutely. You know, there's an old saying: there are no atheists in the foxholes of war. And I think in these times, we have a very pronounced sense of our mortality and our need for one another.

"When things get quiet, when the noise settles down, we have an opportunity to listen,to wake up[and] to be human. To look beyond ourselves. To not be so consumed with all the things we thought we needed to own, to have, and to hoard."

Mosques

All of the major mosques in Ottawa-Gatineauare closed to group prayer.

"It was a very difficult decision," saidSikander Hashmi,Imam of the KanataMuslim Association."At times like this, faith leaders and places of worship want to be there for the community.But considering the circumstances it was decided it would be the prudent thing to do."

• Muslim groups urge mosques to suspend Friday prayer services amid coronavirus fears

Hashmiwas already putting his services online, and he's not alone.

"Imams are going online to hold lectures, classesand sessions for their communities," said Hashmi, who's also connecting with congregants using video calls"because I think it's really important, especially for seniors, to be seenand to see other people."

In addition, he's calling on families to hold their own prayer sessions at home.

"Instead of coming to the mosque, the advice is just turn your home into a temporary mosque. Do it at the same times we would normally pray at mosque. Even though we can't gather physically,we know we are gathering at the same time, albeit in our own homes."

Synagogues

The COVID-19 crisis is also changing how rabbis and synagogues serve Ottawa's Jewish community.

"Everything is being cancelled, left right and centre. Even things like circumcisions for babies it's still going on but not with any guests, " said Rabbi Reuven Bulka of theCongregation Machzikei Hada.

Bulka was invited to a bris, or circumcision ceremony, this coming Sunday. "I just opted to say, 'You know what? The responsible thing here is not to go.'"

Bulka is tending to the sick viatelephone or email. He's even encouraging mourners to sit shiva by phone.

"We should be thankful we still have some means of communication. I think back to plagues we had generations ago where they were really isolated. Thankfully, we're not totally cut off."

It's hitting close to home for Bulka. "Atthis Passover, I will not have my children and grandchildren with me. It's not an ideal Passover."

But there is a blessing to be found, according to Bulka. People are finding time for study.

"Usually they'd say, 'I don't have time,I have to do this,I have to do that.' So we didn't have the time to meditate, to contemplate. Now all of a sudden we have this great gift. It's in a miserable circumstance, but it's a gift nonetheless."