OTTAWA — A church in suburban Ottawa is joining religious institutions around the world by adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic with a drive-thru service so congregants can connect with their faith — and community — from a distance.
Rev. Doug Kendall invited members of his parish to stop by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Stittsville in their vehicles for the first time this Sunday.
He says between 20 and 30 cars came, from a congregation of about 100 people that includes many seniors.
Congregants shared personal celebrations, made prayer requests and offerings, and enjoyed coffee and cookies distributed by a volunteer who wore a mask and gloves and stayed two metres away.
Kendall also shared songs and teachings in a video posted to Facebook and collected donations for the local food bank.
He says many of the thanks and prayer requests from parishioners were directed towards health-care workers, provincial health officers and political leaders.
People also expressed concern and support for seniors who are especially vulnerable to the effects of social distancing and isolation.
The drive-thru service depends on the weather, but Kendall expects to offer it most Sundays. He's also thinking about how to offer pastoral care and a larger drive-in service on Easter.
"You take going to church for granted, in a way, until you can't do it," he said, adding that's true of many aspects of daily life altered by the pandemic.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2020.
The Canadian Press
