All educational institutions in Quebec, including Montreal Dio, are closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But some Dio students still gathered as usual this week in an online classroom to discuss Christian worship, Anglican liturgy, and how to “be church” in a time of social distancing.

Director of Pastoral Studies Hilary Bogert-Winkler has been teaching an online course all semester on Anglican Liturgy and Worship. The course is required for graduation from Dio but has also attracted about a dozen students from across Canada engaged in various forms of lay and ordained ministry.

In response to COVID-19, Dr. Bogert-Winkler altered the syllabus in February to add an assignment about how churches should respond to the virus. By the time the assignment was due last night, however, the situation had completely changed as the virus was declared a pandemic and much of normal life in Canada has been entirely changed. Last night’s class, then, turned into an in depth discussion of liturgical responses to the pandemic as well as the changes to worship that have been brought about by the current crisis. In their papers, many students urged churches to close (as many bishops in Canada eventually directed) but also to engage in online worship to the greatest extent possible.

In addition to these general recommendations, the students highlighted particular challenges and blessings the situation has brought forth. One student noted how ministry in rural places is particularly challenging when internet and cellular data service are weak, funds are low, and church members are not technologically savvy. Another student pointed out that there is no morgue in her community, so funerals present a particular challenge. The plight of those who rely on the church for shelter and addiction recovery support (to name two examples) was on the heart of one student, while another looked at the ways the Five Marks of Mission could shape the church’s response. One suggestion was for parishes to make 20% of their funds available for pandemic response. These funds could be used, for example, to help poorer rural churches purchase Zoom accounts to hold online services for their congregations, or to use that money to make a contribution to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. 

Students were also quick to note the blessings they found in the situation. Many members of the class said that their churches had moved to online platforms for their services. While this takes some adjustment on the part of all involved, students noted the enthusiasm with which their own church communities were embracing virtual services. Not only are these churches reaching new people, but regular church goers are worshiping more frequently, through online offerings of the Daily Office, and engaging with their faith in new ways, through online Bible studies and prayer groups. It is a stressful and anxious situation for all, but there was a definite feeling of hope in the class, and faith that even amidst the grief for closed church doors and stress for the health of self and loved ones, the Spirit is present and that there can be good fruit born of this crisis.