This translation is not completely accurate as it was
automatically generated by a computer.
Powered by
By Shaun Lane*
5:30 P.M. EST Mar. 3, 2010 | BALTIMORE (UMNS)
A shoveled walkway to the parsonage gives a “rabbit's eye view” of
Trinity United Methodist Church in Catlett, Va., after a recent storm. A
UMNS photo courtesy of Stephen Little, flickr Commons.
View in Photo Gallery
It’s said that “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” will
keep mail carriers from completing their rounds. Apparently, recent
record snowfall didn’t prevent some United Methodist pastors in Maryland
from completing their sermons.
Thanks to high-tech innovations like webcasting and social media — and
simpler options like conference calls — some clergy in the
Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference conducted Sunday
services in blizzard conditions.
On Sunday, Feb. 7, when almost all churches in the state were closed
because of snow, the Rev. Ramon McDonald of Mount Oak Fellowship United
Methodist Church in Mitchellville, Md., delivered his sermon, "Focus on
Jesus," from the comfort of his home. More than 100 people were a part
of the service, but they didn't challenge the winter elements and drive
to McDonald's house. They simply picked up their phone or turned on
their computer.
Using his home computer and a video camera, McDonald broadcast his
church service on www.ustream.tv, a site recommended by his youth
pastor. The site also allowed him to download popular Christian music
videos from YouTube. He made sure to download videos that included the
lyrics so people could sing along.
"One of our primary goals is to provide people a place to worship,"
McDonald said. "Worship is an integral part of someone's week. I have to
provide an avenue for that. This is particularly important for our
elderly and shut-ins."
Virtual Worship
The virtual worship experience gained traction last December, the Sunday
before Christmas, when the Rev. Chris Owens of First United Methodist
Church in Laurel, Md., held church via teleconference, using a product
through Freeconference.com.
"I have reached so many people,” Owens said. “A few people from as far
away as North Carolina have participated, as well as some who are not
Christians.
"I think for many people, especially the non-Christians, this is a safe
and nonthreatening way to check things out, as far as what we do and
what we're about," he added. "I'm not sure if they will ultimately come
to our church or not. But it's a good start, and it's an avenue that we
didn't have before."
The Rev. Rachel Cornwell of Silver Spring (Md.) Cooperative Parish
conducted the Feb. 7 service via conference call. Her director of music
played piano over the speakerphone. Hymns, Bible studies and prayer
concerns also were voiced. A church member vacationing in Utah and a
member who relocated to Panama also joined in.
"Many of the elderly who would have been homebound, regardless of the
snowstorm, were very appreciative and would like us to consider doing
this on a more regular basis," she said.
Cornwell added that she wasn't able to collect tithes and offerings, but
online giving may be a way to address that in the future.
The pastors primarily used their Facebook and Twitter pages to promote
the virtual services, and others started to post the virtual church
services on their own social media pages. Pastors e-mailed people who
did not have Facebook.
"It really took off when I created a Facebook event," Owens said.
"People were posting it on their pages and it just gained momentum.
People saw the service as a great way to stay connected when they
couldn't get out."
"If I would have held the service at church (Feb. 7) like I did in the
storm before Christmas, we might have reached 50 to 60 people," McDonald
said. "I reached many more people than I anticipated. It shows that
worship is a large part of their spiritual journey."
*Lane is communications director of the Baltimore-Washington Annual
(regional) Conference. A version of this article originally appeared in
UMConnection, the conference’s newspaper.
News media contact: Joey Butler, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
About UMC.org
RSS Feed
Press Center
Contact Us