HUNTINGTON â Since the 1980s, Trinity Episcopal Church in Huntington has served Christmas Eve dinner to the cityâs needy to bring some hope, joy and good news.
âThis event has become more of a people ministry than a food ministry,â said Charles Warder, the eventâs project chairman. âHunger pain makes no mind of the COVID-19 color code in the county.â
While the tradition will continue this year, the pandemic has changed how it will take place.
âNormally, hundreds flock to the church for a home-cooked holiday meal and fellowship, but this year due to the pandemic, our building will remain closed,â Warder explained. âIn-house dining and congregating in large groups is not a possibility this year. There will be no restrooms and no clothing pantry. This is the best we can do in this unusual year.â
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Dec. 23, 2020 12:18 pm ET
Hark the herald angels sing, but at the Memorial United Methodist Church this week, the congregation will be humming.
In previous years, the Fernandina Beach, Fla., church’s Christmas celebrations have featured hundreds of people belting out favorite carols from the pews. This year, though, attendance is capped at 50 people in its main sanctuary space, and Christmas Eve services will take on a decidedly different tone, with prerecorded music from the church’s choir and a violinist and cellist playing Christmas hymns at some services.
“Hum along behind your masks,” Rev. Dr. Mark Charles, the church’s senior pastor, says he has told congregants. “We’re respecting one another by not singing.”
A COVID Christmas: Suburban churches keep traditions alive Pastor Mary Zajac hangs prayer ornaments on a Christmas tree outside Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in downtown St. Charles during a Christmas Story Caravan event this month. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, church officials have modified Christmas activities to protect members of their congregations. Ryan Rayburn/for the Daily Herald Chris Stumpf, left, gives a giving card to Betsy and Toby Petrie of Geneva, during the Christmas Story Caravan event at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in downtown St. Charles earlier this month. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants were allowed to drive through the parking lots of three area churches to experience the story of Christmas.
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