The coronavirus pandemic has moved many faith communities to swap in person worship and activities for remote or steaming opportunities. Important holiday traditions have given them an opportunity to be creative.
The Christmas Eve service at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Somers is moving outside this year. Reverend Andrew Wendle says it will be a parking lot distanced service.
"People will come and light a luminary. Actually it should be very beautiful. But it’s very… definitely different. It’s not sitting in the church and singing silent night or anything like that," Wendle said.
First United Methodist Church in Billings will live stream their three Christmas Eve services, including the candle lighting. Youth Pastor Brian Hunter took time during a service this month to give parents ideas on how to safely include children.
"Glow sticks would be a really good alternative for this year," Hunter said.
He also suggested downloading a virtual candle app for a smartphone or tablet.
Billings FUMC also changed a children's program normally performed in December.
Instead of a musical by the Music, Art and Drama, or MAD Choir, the directors of the choir asked the children and families to record a musical performance or a reading to be included in a video program on the church’s Facebook page.
The eight days of Hanukkah this year also became a remote observance for Montana synagogues and Jewish communities.
Congregation Beth Aaron in Billings offered drive up chicken soup and latkes on the first night of Hanukkah on Dec. 11.
"The board came up with the idea that they would make the food. Make some chicken soup and make some latkes and just share….just share food, which is a thing we Jews do, so it’s been really awesome," said resident student Rabbi Erik Uriarte.
The Glacier Jewish Community in the Flathead Valley sent out 135 Hanukkah packages that included candles, blessing and recipes.
Rabbi Francine Roston said it was an effort to make a community feel connected.
"I thought it was very important for everyone feel a sense of connection that they are not alone even though they are in their homes," Roston said.
Rabbi Roston is the originator of a letter circulated among the faith communities in Montana back in November encouraging the faithful to re engage in COVID safety in light of the surge.
"My greatest hope was to promote conversation and to have people rethink what they are doing in light of the high numbers and the risk of death," Roston said.
Rabbis and clergy across the state say they can meet their sacred mission of worshipping together, learning from each other and caring for each other.
The letter says they trust in a higher power to help us through the crisis but it is also important to trust medical experts and caregivers, and wear masks, wash hands and stay physically distanced.
