By: Marek Zabriskie
St. Paul famously wrote, “…faith comes through hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Paul emphasized “hearing.” In order to hear, someone must speak.
There’s an international non-profit organization in New Mexico called “Faith Comes by Hearing.” They provide audio Bibles, primarily the New Testament, in over 1,300 languages and solar-powered transponders that can be set up in the midst of an African village, where up to 100 people can gather and hear the Bible read aloud in their own language.
But how do we “hear” the faith during a pandemic, when most of us about isolated at home? Zoom has been a great answer.
Today, we might retranslate Paul’s famous words as “faith comes through Zooming.” I know that many are Zooming all week for work or school and the last thing that they want is to do some additional Zooming.
But many people are deeply isolated. They thirst for human contact. They long to fill their spiritual well, to hear the Word of God, discuss it and have someone gifted expound upon it. Now, there are countless spiritual resources to tap.
My 89-year-old mother-in-law uses Zoom to join the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, the Very Rev. Robert Willis, or the Dean of the Washington National Cathedral, the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, each day for Morning Prayer and a brief homily.
Dean Willis comes right out of central casting and speaks with a lovely English accent while sitting in his garden, accompanied by chickens, goats, sheep and even pigs, who make noises and have no problem being on Zoom. His down-to-earth messages set in the Dean’s garden are as refreshing as a good cup of English tea and a plate of scones, strawberries and clotted cream.
At Christ Church Greenwich, we are one of at least six congregations offering in person worship. We have taken every precaution possible. We open the windows, have a very high ceiling, check temperatures as worshippers arrive, have them sign and seat them at a distance from one another. Everyone wears masks throughout the entire service.
Many watch via Livestream and later on demand. Hence, they can view our worship or our Sunday Forums with great speakers addressing vital topics at any time of the day or week. Recently, we hosted Nancy Gibbs, former Editor-in-Chief of TIME Magazine, who spoke about truth in an age of misinformation and the need to reclaim basic facts that we can agree upon, if democracy is to survive.
Because of Zoom and Livestream, viewers can participate, and be spiritually nourished in the safety of their own home. Families watch on large screen TVs. Husbands and wives sit in their pajamas drinking coffee as they worship. Some sing along as the choir sings hymns.
We have just launched six new Bible studies using Zoom. People quietly listen and then unmute themselves to ask questions or make observations. Because of the need to pause and unmute oneself, there are moments of silence, which nicely magnify the words that follow.
Each Monday through Friday at 8 a.m., eight to 12 of our laity and clergy gather to recite Morning Prayer via Zoom. The link can be found at: www.christchurchgreenwich.org. It’s easy to participate. People who join us do not have to speak or pray aloud, unless they desire to when the leader invites prayers of petition, intercession or thanksgiving by those attending.
Over time, this has built a lovely community that has openly shared their needs and listened carefully to each other. We have lifted one another up in our prayers and prayed for the needs of our church, town and nation.
We have heard amazing Sunday Forum speakers such as the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams address us from England on the topic of discipleship. You can find a recording on our website. Mary Zahl gave a masterful talk on the importance of listening. Her wisdom can enhance every relationship in your life.
Parishioner Deborah Royce astutely interviewed our electrifying Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who spoke about the way of love – a must hear message in this age of political divisions, fear, isolation, depression and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic.
We have used Zoom for our work to combat racism in our Sacred Ground classes which explore the historical roots of racism. Zoom has allowed us to team up with the Greenwich YWCA for their DIVE training program to learn how we can combat racism in ourselves and around us. We also use Zoom for our Educating for Racial Equity presentations.
This Lent, we will use Zoom to teach Centering Prayer – a form of Christian meditation. While I miss face-to-face in person encounters, Zoom has been a Godsend during this pandemic, and it has allowed faith to grow.
