Easter communion with a difference

For the first time in the 92-year history of Elim Assembly the Communion Service, which is quaintly referred to as Breaking of Bread Service in the Christian Brethren Assemblies tradition, was held remotely using ZOOM telecommunications technology.

Congregants from as far away as the Canadian Arctic, several cities in the United States along with Jamaicans on the rock in the Caribbean Sea, under the direction of Elder Calvin Isaacs from his home in Portmore, St Catherine, first ate bread followed by the drinking of wine. Well, not exactly wine in most instances, but any available drink. As Elder Isaacs pointed out in his short homily, the communion and the emblems are symbolic. My household of four consumed orange juice.

In a way the outbreak of COVID-19 has brought the church back to the future. In response to the pandemic, Governments in Jamaica and countries across the world have restricted populations to long periods of staying at home and social gathering of maximum ten persons. Interestingly, the early Christian Church met in homes, partly because it was an underground movement was not accommodated by the religious status quo or the temple class.

Back to Basics
The COVID-19 pandemic has sent the church back to basics by necessity. Pastors are forced to relate to congregants one-to-one via the telephone or house visit. In addition, believers can join prayer and ministry meetings from the comfort of their homes, hence attendance has improved. I have observed this at my church and hope that the interest will remain after then novelty has worn off.

Apart from the use of digital technology, faith-based organisations have found innovative ways to share the gospel and minister to members. Congregants have assembled in their motor vehicles in parking lots to hear a minister of religion deliver a sermon, thereby adhering to rules of social distancing and congregating.  A music ministry leader has been observed parking his car in a community with hymns playing through a public address system. He then invites people to come to their windows and doors and sing along. Of course, this was a relief to many residents who have been locked up in their homes for several days.

Considering all these innovative ways through which faith-based leaders have resorted to executing their ministry, one wonders why some clergy are insisting on their right to hold mass meetings. These religious folks are arguing for the preservation of freedom of religion etc. While I am wary of the tendency of state authorities across the world to take on to themselves untrammeled power during times of crisis, this is not the case now. I am prepared to fight that war when it comes.

The faith community is being called upon now to protect the lives of people including its congregants. We are being called upon now to exercise love, not selfishness; to provide care and to be our brother’s keeper.

I am puzzled about the basis of the urge by some church folks to gather in large numbers.

After all, Jesus, the Messiah guaranteed His presence at gatherings as small as “two or three”.

Byron Buckley is a media and communication specialist for more than 30 years. Visit Prangle Media to read his blogs or send feedback to editorial@oldharbournews.com.