By Madeline Stewart
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
On a Sunday morning in February, ten worshippers sat in the pews of Towson United Methodist Church. All of them came alone and sat six feet apart, dotting the dozens of mahogany pews like islands. The Reverend Dr. Mark Johnson took to the pulpit and spoke as if he was talking to much more than the handful of churchgoers— and he was.
“Welcome to worship everyone, whether you are with us in the sanctuary this morning,” he said, “or at home with a cup of coffee, worshipping via the Internet, or perhaps you’re watching this later in the week.”
In the “new normal,” typical Sunday mornings have become a thing of the past. Towson United Methodist wants to keep its community growing—whether from behind a computer screen or six feet apart.
The Rev. Christine Kumar and the Rev. Dr. Mark Johnson after a masked Sunday service. Photo by Baltimore Watchdog Staff.
Making the transition to online worship last spring was only the first challenge. Bringing back in-person workshop at 25% capacity in September was also difficult in a sanctuary that seats up to 700 people and where many longtime members are older and not computer literate.
Singing had to go, as well as paper bulletins and hymnals in the pews. Every other pew is roped off, and every six feet on the open pews are cards that read, “Leave space for the Holy Spirit.” An offering box is fixed in the hallway instead of passing a plate. No one shakes hands to greet each other, and there is no passing of the peace. The service is live streamed to Facebook and YouTube for those at home.
“We were worried— what if people won’t wear masks or social distance? But we’ve had no problems with none of that,” Johnson said. “People are just so appreciative to be in a church.”
The only change that received pushback was reserving a spot. Worshippers can go online and reserve a spot in church through a form that collects their name and contact information. This isn’t just to keep the church under capacity, which at 25% is still 175 people. This effort is to have information for contact tracing. Most Sundays, in-person worshippers usually number around 30.
“This has been more like church was,” said Dale Springer, who has been attending the church since the 1980s. “Online church can work in a situation like this, but I’m very happy to be back in the church building.”
The church’s unique blend of online services and in-person services has offered a new perspective on how church can be conducted. Attendance increased at church meetings over Zoom. Bible studies and Sunday school have maintained attendance.
“In the year before COVID, if we had talked about Zoom meetings, people would’ve said, ‘No, I don’t have the capability,’” Johnson said. “But people learned pretty fast.”
Pastor Christine Kumar, the head of youth ministry, reformatted Sunday school and youth groups as well.
“Our youth have continued to be active in our virtual meetings and in-person, and we’ve been able to do mission projects together during this time, like writing cards to our home-bound members,” Kumar said.
In this difficult year, a sense of normalcy, connection, and community are in short supply— and that’s why the church is stepping up to meet every new challenge.
“A number of people over the past year have asked when we get to reopen the church,” Johnson said in a Sunday service. “While it’s true we might be operating in a different way, the church is never closed. The ministries of teaching, of worship, and of study continue.”