Caithness churches turn to technology to keep congregations connected
Churches across Caithness are making the most of technology to keep worshippers connected during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The restrictions mean that some churches are having no services in the traditional sense. Others are opening for scaled-down Sunday services, but with no hymn-singing and with social distancing being observed.
Online platforms such as YouTube, Zoom and Facebook have been put to good use to keep people in touch as they look forward to a time when normal church attendance can resume.
Pentland Parish consists of the former parishes of Canisbay, Dunnet, Keiss and Olrig. It has been embracing technology since lockdown began, filling the gap when churches are closed to create a monthly Reflection video of about 20 minutes that is broadcast on YouTube on the first Sunday of the month.
The format uses music and photos, video and drone footage, along with filmed recordings of a short religious message, prayers and a popular kids' spot with Lucy the puppet. There is a section on parish news and the video ends with a gospel song cut to images and video scenes of the north of Scotland.
Pentland Parish also has a Messy Church in Dunnet, although its young members cannot meet at present. The leader, Ruth Manson, is continuing Messy Church by sending packs of material out to the children.
Pentland Parish interim moderator Alan Sinclair said: "Our monthly Reflection videos have surpassed our initial expectations and are now well established. This initiative is not just an alternative for our existing congregations but an outreach to others within the parish and the wider internet community.
"We hope to continue with these Reflection videos after our churches open up again."
The Rev Lyall Rennie, the retired locum at Pentland Parish, said: "I am delighted by the response to our monthly Reflection videos on YouTube, especially as they are not only being viewed by our congregations but also by many who would not usually attend a normal church service – not just in Caithness but around the world."
Session clerk Christine Shearer added: "A representative from each church meets via a weekly Zoom meeting, hosted by our interim moderator Alan Sinclair, to keep abreast of any matters needing attention, and an excellent monthly Prayer Diary is edited and produced by Esme Duncan.
"All around the parish we keep in touch with elderly and isolated parishioners."
The Rev John Nugent of Wick St Fergus Church works through Facebook, with a mix of readings, prayers and stories as well as period of silent reflection. These take place each night at 10pm, each Sunday at 2.30pm, most lunchtimes at 12.30pm and most mornings at 7am.
"Reaction has been excellent," Mr Nugent said. "We average about 45 to 50 each night but this can double by mid-afternoon the following day.
"We have an international following, with most folk who join in not having a live church connection."
Wick Baptist Church has been using both YouTube and Zoom – and online services will continue even though it is possible to meet in the church building, according to the pastor, the Rev Matt Alexander.
"We currently have an online service broadcast on YouTube each Sunday at 11am," Mr Alexander explained. "This service consists of prayers, a reading from the Bible, some pre-recorded worship songs produced by musicians within the congregation and a sermon.
"We also hold a weekly prayer meeting on Zoom on a Thursday evening, and a ladies’ prayer breakfast on Zoom on the second Saturday morning of each month.
"The benefits of this online presence are great under the present circumstances. We have recommenced meeting in the church building, but recognise that not everyone will feel comfortable gathering in larger groups, so we have committed to continuing our online services to cater for their needs.
"Members of the congregation have expressed appreciation for these services, and I have been encouraged by the number of people accessing the services online via YouTube, which would exceed an average weekly attendance on a Sunday morning under 'normal' circumstances."
He added: "The first Zoom prayer meeting we held was a very special occasion as we watched people’s excitement at seeing one another’s faces again – albeit virtually – and being able to chat and pray together."
Since the start of lockdown the Harbour Mission Baptist Church in Martha Terrace, Wick, has been live-streaming two services each Sunday and a 20-minute service each weekday via Facebook. Services can be accessed by going to the Wick Harbour Mission Facebook page.
Pastor Gilbert McAdam said: "Sunday services [at 11am and 6.30pm] are exactly the same as our regular services apart from the absence of the Lord's Supper. We have continued to live-stream these even though we are now physically meeting as well – socially distanced, of course, which limits our capacity.
"Weekday services [9am every weekday] consist of two Bible readings, Old and New Testament, a hymn, with the help of YouTube recordings, and prayer. These services last about 20 to 25 minutes.
"We have been hugely encouraged by the number of people listening regularly – a far larger number than we would ever have in our services in the Mission. We have folk listening from the Philippines, Burma, Uganda and the USA as well as from other parts of the UK.
"This has been totally astonishing to us, and we are thankful to God that he has opened this door of opportunity for his Word in these difficult days."
Thurso St Peter's and St Andrew's Church of Scotland has attracted an international following too, although the minister, the Rev David Malcolm, says the best feedback is from the local community.
"We provide a weekly online service via our church Facebook page and church website," Mr Malcolm said. "We also provide a paper service which we post out weekly for those who are unable to join online.
"We offer a weekly online Bible study too, as well as a favourite hymn/worship song each week.
"The benefits are that we are still able to worship as a church, have a sense of church community, study God's Word, learn new hymns/worship songs, have new people joining who don't normally attend church, bring hope to those who feel worried at this time and give comfort to the weary.
"We have had wonderful feedback from our community and further afield – we have people joining us from America, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.
"Our church congregation has increased significantly by offering online services that reach people who don't normally attend church on a Sunday. Our experience of offering an online Sunday service, Wednesday Bible study and Thursday favourite hymn/worship song has been a positive one.
"However, as wonderful as this all is, we look forward to being able to gather within the church building in Thurso St Peter's and St Andrew's once again."
Live-streaming has gone down well too and Castletown and Community Free Church, according to the minister, the Rev Howard Stone, who is also interim moderator of Wick and Keiss Free Church and of Lybster Free Church.
"We have a service in the Castletown Free Church building at noon on Sunday, meeting according to the government’s present directions," Mr Stone explained. "The service is live-streamed on the Castletown and Community Free Church Facebook page. It is subsequently also made available on the Castletown and Community Free Church YouTube page.
"The evening [6.30pm] Sunday service is held using Zoom, as is the Tuesday [7.30pm] Bible study. Everyone is welcome to join us for these. Contact Howard (howard@castletownfreechurch.org) for details on how to join.
"Also, during the week, on the Castletown and Community Free Church Facebook page there are daily meditations on Bible passages. And for anyone who is not online, a recent sermon can be heard at any time by phoning 0116 3263909 – national rates apply."
He added: "We haven’t had much in the way of direct feedback for these online events except for frequent 'likes' on Facebook and YouTube. However, those taking part in the Zoom meetings very much appreciate being involved in a service when, because of health concerns or distance, they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.
"The meetings are not the same as meeting in person, but they do have some advantages. So, even when restrictions are eventually lifted, we would want to continue these virtual services in some form."
The Rev Ellie Charman is assistant curate at the two Episcopal Churches in Caithness – St John the Evangelist in Moray Street, Wick, and St Peter and the Holy Rood in Sir George's Street, Thurso. She explained that both churches are now open for services.
"For either church, a space must be booked in order to attend the service," she said. "Bookings can be made through the Northern Episcopalians website. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, but each church has a limited number of spaces available.
"We offer a variety of services each week, all of which are listed on the calendar of the website.
"The Sunday Eucharist from St Peter and the Holy Rood will be available on Facebook live on alternate weeks – please see the calendar on the website for dates. The midweek services on Tuesdays are available by Zoom – please contact me if interested.
"Morning and evening prayer are both on Facebook and Zoom, and night prayer is available on Zoom.
"Attendance by Zoom is small but consistent. This is partly due to the technological limitations and/or slow broadband across Caithness. However, attendance has increased lately, even with the buildings opening for public worship.
"We welcome anyone who would like to worship with us, across any of the media we use."
During lockdown, Father Colin Davies of the Roman Catholic churches provided a digital Mass every Sunday. Since churches have been allowed to open, Mass times have gone back to what they were, but with limited numbers.
At St Anne's in Thurso, Sunday Mass is at 9.45am and at St Joachim's, Wick, at 12.15pm. Because of social distancing, the church can't accommodate everyone, so those wishing to attend Mass are asked to ring Father Colin on Friday to book a place. He also broadcasts the St Anne's Mass on the parish Facebook page.
Because of Covid, there is no singing. All the pews are laid out for social distancing, with some pews taped off. Everyone has to wear a mask or face covering during Mass and everyone is asked to use hand sanitiser, which is available at the entrance to the church.
Pulteneytown and Thrumster Church reopened its buildings in August, providing services on Sundays. It has also continued services through its YouTube page and via a phone line so that the services are accessible for all.
The minister, the Rev Andrew Barrie, said: “While none of this is as we would want, I’m glad that folk have been able to be part of our church life through these different means. We want people to know that anyone can be part of church life, whatever their circumstances are.”
Pulteneytown and Thrumster Church has recently been able to provide some services to the local care homes in the town via its YouTube channel.
The church has also tried to provide some fun for the community with a photo competition through its Facebook page, an initiative started by Rob Petersen, the mission development worker.