Need some faith? Bristol churches are going online

At first there was the suggestion that parishioners shouldn’t shake hands or hug during the peace. Then coffee hours were cancelled. Within days, the number of people permitted to gather was restricted by the state to 100, then 50, then 25.

The federal government’s latest recommendation is fewer than 10 (though if we have learned anything through this, we should expect that to change any minute as well.)

With church attendance restricted for the next couple of weeks, at a minimum, many people are missing out on an important weekly or even daily ritual. While nothing can replace being together with the rest of the people in a congregation, a handful of local religious leaders have made some accommodations, providing virtual religious services online. They are a good opportunity to worship with a community in spirit. And in the interest of trying to find a silver lining in these difficult days, at least nobody will know if you “go to church” in your pajamas.\

St. Michael’s Church

Canon Michael Horvath is offering a morning prayer service this Sunday, March 22, at 9 a.m. via the Zoom app. The following link will go live 10 minutes before the service so that folks have time to log in and settle in before the start. To join the Zoom Meeting, go to https://zoom.us/j/684231744 and type in the Meeting ID: 684 231 744.

Mt. Carmel Church

Fr. Zinno has been live-streaming Sunday Mass on Facebook, and posting those videos on the church website at olmcbristol.org, for those who do not have Facebook accounts.

First Congregational Church

Pastor Burton Bagby-Grose has been posting Sunday services on the church website at fccbristol.org. There’s an archive of services going back to well before the crisis, if you want to look back.

St Elizabeth Church

Fr. Batista is offering a daily prayer on the church’s Facebook page.