Contributors: Barrie Martin, Rebecca Bhavanasi, James Mutinda, April Da Campo, Pastor Errol Jacobs, Lindsay Jacobs, Luke Messarides. Compiled by Joan Mumo.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected our lives in one way or another, some affects expected and others unexpected. One such affect was the closure of the church building as a result of the restriction of physical meetings and subsequent lockdown. We interview those involved with preparing and delivering online services as we come to grips with our ‘new’ normal.
1. What was the feeling for you on the first Sunday during lockdown?
April: To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when the lockdown was first implemented last March, nor did I have time to comprehend what was actually coming into effect. I just remember picking up Antony from school for the last time and actually being told just to wait until further notice. On that Sunday, when the church was in lockdown, Don was given time to self-isolate as he had shown symptoms that he had the virus. I remember having communion with the kids since that Sunday for a few weeks resting on God’s grace, wisdom, and mercy and He’s been very faithful as always.
Errol: It was horrible, not seeing any people at church and preaching to an empty building.
Barrie: I was able to understand what was said more clearly. For those older and harder of hearing, I found that I was able to gain more through lip reading and facial expressions.
James: I was both perplexed and relieved. I was perplexed because it was difficult to fathom that the entire country had shut down, it was uncharted territory. However, I was relieved that the church was not meeting because this reduced the risk of congregation members potentially catching the virus.
Lindsay: I was pleased that we were able to offer an online service, but it was so horrible standing in front of an empty church. I had to fight back tears during the service. I thought that if we’d known that the previous service was to be our last for a long time, we’d have made a bigger fuss of each other. It is so true that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I was also nervous about leading worship live on Facebook! We had never done live-streaming before and now we were doing it on our own with no chance to practice.
Rebecca: The first Sunday during lockdown for me was quite unusual and strange as I had hardly missed attending Church on Sundays. The unexpected and sudden lockdown raised many questions of apprehension and uncertainty because such closing down of Churches never occurred in our lifetime before.
2. What is your responsibility and what goes into preparing for the service on Sunday or Sunday school?
April: I’m not as involved as the others in our church, but the only thing I can do for my part is to record some Praise and Worship Songs, together with the rest of the Praise and Worship Team (Ade, Cynthia, Ligia, Donato, and later on Mobi) with Luke and James on the technical side for the execution, under the guidance of Pastor Errol and Lindsay, to be used in the service every Sunday, since this concept of online service was put into effect. It wasn’t very easy. Liaising with each person involved is very important as we don’t see each other face-to-face, and especially when we want to collaborate to do a song, we need to wait for each other, but we got the hang of it in the end.
Barrie: I pray beforehand as there have been many more prayer meetings during the lockdown. I consult the Scripture Union book having agreed among the children’s church leaders. We go back and forth between the Old and New Testament and I am always thinking of ways to get the stories over in a way that the vocabulary and phrases are understandable to children in the specific age group.
Errol: At the start of lockdown, it was just me and my family involved in the livestream. Every week, we spent hours rehearsing the songs and planning the service together. When James, Luke and the worship group joined us in organising online services, my role changed to working with them to improve the online experience for everyone. Now that we’re back in church, I am still coordinating the service every week, but it is closer to what I would have done pre-COVID.
James: I am also responsible for managing the broadcasting of our Sunday service. The preparation for Sunday services changes depending on those involved. Additionally, the amount of time I spend preparing for Sunday has greatly reduced now that the broadcasting team is familiar with the processes and technologies involved. As a result, the vast majority of my work is done shortly before and during the service. Preparation now primarily consists of receiving the service schedule and sermon notes from Pastor Errol and converting these into a format compatible with the software we use. I also receive worship videos from Luke, scripture reading from the service leader and any material which needs to be presented on a Sunday. Sometimes, I receive worship videos from our friends in India and the United States which I edit, insert lyrics and render to ensure compatibility. I also custom-make the countdown videos that are played prior to the service, here, I try to include any major news or events which will take place in the ensuing week(s). Prior to services, where we introduce new speakers or use new equipment, I will schedule a trial broadcast to ensure we identify and rectify any potential issues before the service. Preparation for services at the moment also includes lots of experimentation – we are constantly trialling new features, processes and behind-the-scenes equipment, so watch this space!
Lindsay: My responsibilities have changed over the months. Initially I was leading worship, doing the children’s talk and filming/uploading to YouTube. Then James introduced StreamYard and we were able to stream worship from other people – it was a relief not to have to sing anymore! I still did the children’s talk, although occasionally others did this in my place. Now I focus on sharing the live stream on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and our website, as well as interacting with people on the live feed.
Luke: I am responsible for the worship videos prepared during the week and I will start on the AV soon.
Rebecca: My responsibility as one of the Sunday School teachers at HBC is to prepare Bible lessons and arrange Zoom meetings for Children (ages 4 to 7) on Fridays. Leading and participating in Life group meetings on Mondays via Zoom helps our team members to learn and explore new Bible Study topics each week. As part of the HBC prayer group, we also meet on Zoom every morning at 10:30 am to pray for our Church, its members, their safety and protection during this pandemic.
3. What has been the biggest lesson you have learnt?
April: I’ve learned that no matter how much you do to make sure everyone in your household is safe, especially your kids, you can only do so much, the rest is completely under the care and knowledge of God.
Barrie: We have missed the social interaction and meeting with people after the service so we make sure that we can connect to the week’s Sunday service.
Errol: I’ve learnt so much about online streaming and technology that I never knew before.
James: The biggest lesson I have learned is to relax! Technology is not perfect and things often go wrong. The issues are often minor and temporary, although, at the time, issues which only span one minute, often feel like they are present for hours. Being calm and relaxed really helps, and, in addition, Lindsay helps me communicate to the congregation that we are aware of the issue and are working on a solution.
Lindsay: That God can use any situation for good. We’ve been able to fellowship with people around the world, as well as welcoming those who have never been to church before.
Luke: Biggest lesson learnt is how being at church with our family is so important.
Rebecca: "Life is full of uncertainties, yet God is in control of everything". This pandemic has put a halt to the busy, humdrum life of this world so as to turn people's attention to God. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.
4. What has been a drawback you have experienced?
April: The biggest challenge for me during this lockdown is to make sure the kids are all emotionally secure, me and Donato made sure that they wouldn’t feel the stress of the sudden changes around them, why they couldn’t go to school or see their friends, or why we couldn’t go out very often and why we need to sanitise every so often. Another drawback was also when Donato was furloughed from his second job right after he got better.
Barrie: Disappointment from the low attendance of parents and children as compared previous attendance due to various reasons. Our sessions continue to be advertised to all families.
Errol: It has been so difficult not seeing our congregation and not knowing what is going on in their lives as much as I would if we saw each other face-to-face.
James: Technology has been a drawback. We were not ready for broadcasting at the time of the lockdown, and therefore the equipment we had often limited our capabilities. However, the Jacobs family did an incredible job to get us going and I have been able to build on the work they started. Additionally, the church has invested in great equipment recently and the quality of our broadcasts will keep improving. Again, watch this space!
Lindsay: The internet is unpredictable, and we’ve had issues with connection and sound at times, but people are gracious and they still keep attending.
Luke: There has been less socialising and we are not able to sing with each other. Also, having to wear masks.
Rebecca: Missed out much on recreational activities. Also, just like most of us, not having to step out, meet, interact or have fellowship with friends or the Church family in person.
5. Any new skills/biggest accomplishment?
April: I have decided to go back to study again, so by the grace of God, I was given a chance to go back to University and take up a new course this September. Also this whole new situation has given me more time and an opportunity to join a Life Group and a Bible study group. God has shown me exactly what I need right now and where I should be heading!
Barrie: I have learnt a bit more on how to use online communication, although that might be mostly a skill picked up by Perin!
Errol: A greater understanding of platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.
James: I have learned a plethora of skills, too many to list. Some of the skills I have learned include videography, post-production editing and broadcasting. I am also an Audio Visual hardware expert now!
Lindsay: Finding different ways of sharing the live feed and increasing the church’s online following has been fun and exciting.
Rebecca: I have learnt new tips and techniques in gardening that encouraged me to grow a small garden of my own in our backyard. I also acquired an interest in drawing with oil pastels. The most surprising of the lot was learning to connect virtually using technologies such as Zoom and Skype. These platforms helped me immensely in maintaining a virtual connection with the outside world, especially with the church family.
6. Any other thing you would like to mention/talk about e.g. Word of encouragement etc.
April: This whole situation of Lockdown, with us adjusting to the ‘new’ normal – this isn’t the first adversity the world has dealt with and as history will prove, it won’t be the last. This has just shown how incredibly resilient we can be in the face of trials, but more importantly for us Christians this gives us a better grasp of and understanding of our limitations and the abundance and depth of God’s wisdom and power. There is nothing here on earth that is beyond His knowledge, He knows all that was, is, and is to be. He forever will remain this just, faithful, loving God. In 1 Corinthians 2:9, that is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Barrie: Lockdown has resulted in more communication by telephone to various people. I often think of people I haven’t spoken to and try to do so.
James: Although this pandemic has brought much sorrow and hardship, I believe it has also demonstrated how amazing members of our congregation are; some have contributed towards purchasing food and amenities for those hardest hit. Some have given up their time to visit those shielding. Some have cleaned the church. Some have formed prayer groups and prayed without ceasing. Some have given their time every Friday to teach Junior Church and the list continues. In many ways, this reminds of the early church described in Acts 2:42–47. We may not realise it, but Hendon Baptist Church really has shown these last few months and has been like a city on a hill which cannot be hidden.
Lindsay: I’d like to thank everyone who helps with producing the live stream and for all those who join in each week.
Luke: There is absolutely nothing that comes close to substituting worship and communion in person at church.
Rebecca: God makes all things beautiful in His time. His will, His plans and purposes are the best and beyond our comprehension. My prayer and encouragement for all is to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Trust His plans and hold on to His promises and He will strengthen and guide us to move forward in each and every step of our way even during such uncertain times.
Please note that the church is now open, should you wish to attend, please book seats in advance on the church website: www.hendonbaptistchurch.org.uk/covid