Safety is also top of mind for the Rev. Shannon Kershner, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church at 126 E. Chestnut St. along the Magnificent Mile. It\u2019s why the church livestreams its 11 a.m. Sunday services from Kershner\u2019s living room rather than the sanctuary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe empty sanctuary is really a statement of our love and action,\u201d Kershner said. \u201cIt\u2019s an expression of God \u2014 love your neighbor, essentially \u2014 love for our health care professionals and other essential workers who would be harmed if we were to somehow contribute to the spread.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be in my living room, just as all my members are. There\u2019s an intimacy to it, as well as a solidarity that\u2019s been really interesting to discover.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with its worship services, the church in the wealthy downtown community moved online the many classes offered through its Center for Lifelong Learning \u2014 700-plus church members are over 70. Kershner and seven ministers try to do phone checks on each of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cChurch meetings are on Zoom,\u201d Kershner said. \u201cBible study is on Zoom. Prayer meetings are on Zoom. In the beginning, we were thinking: If we can just get through Easter, things will go back to normal. Then, we realized that wasn\u2019t going to happen and that we were going to have to remain in this adaptive mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen, it was: OK, how can we sustain the ministry that we\u2019re doing in all these new ways, getting clearer about what needs to be our priorities? One thing that became clear is that people really want to feel connected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n As Chicago wrestles along with the rest of America about how best to reopen, clergy of diverse faiths across the city and suburbs say the reopening debate has turned a spotlight on the changing face of religion in the era of COVID-19. https:\/\/t.co\/zq5MFXKfGa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) May 22, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n