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Interview with Dale Shenk

Kyle Stocksdale interviews Dale Shenk, longtime Bible teacher at Bethany Christian Schools in Goshen, Indiana. Shenk reflects on his experiences growing up and working in a variety of settings in the Mennonite church as a pastor and teacher. Shenk also reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his life and his faith community at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship.
An Easter Blessing in Covid Time

In Matthew 6:26 Jesus points "to the birds of the air" as examples for us. They fly in their sphere and joyfully sing to cheer each other and us. With these feathered friends beside us, we did not feel lonely or forsaken though isolated from fellowship in Covid Easter time nor in the days following.
Community Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, VA Worship

Community Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, VA pivoted to online worship as the spread of the coronavirus and subsequent lockdowns impacted Harrisonburg and the United States. This weekly worship format has continued since then. Members of the congregation and the pastoral team contribute music, children's stories, and sermons which are edited together by the church administrator Ben Bailey. The service is emailed out to members and publicly available on YouTube.
Passing the Light

Since the church community was not able to meet in person for a Christmas Eve candlelight service, Assembly Mennonite Church organized and created a virtual candle lighting experience. Members submitted videos of themselves passing the light in their homes, which were combined and set to music. It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with each other and feel the presence of God as we gathered virtually to celebrate Christ's birth.
"Creating space for God"

On Saturday, November 21, Assembly Mennonite Church pastors Anna Yoder Schlabach and Lora Nafziger, along with the Worship and Christian Formation committees, organized an outdoor Tabernacle experience for church youth and their families. The event took place in the meetinghouse parking lot and included self-led, physically distanced activities such as a life-sized model of the Tabernacle, tours from the High Priest, and Exodus-related crafts. The same afternoon a physically distanced and masked choir met in the parking lot to record hymns for virtual worship the next day. The event capped a 6-week Exodus Bible study.
Virtual Community

Even though we were small in numbers, because some were either hesitant to join in or did not have technological access, those who did meet often left feeling connected and affirmed.
One Congregation's Response to Code Orange

This is one church's response to code orange... Intentional, Caring, Thought Out, and Respectful. Dear Church Family, In response to surging Covid-19 numbers in Manitoba and in attempt to help the health system be able to provide care to all in the province, the Manitoba Government has mandated some additional restrictions, effective Monday November 2. We as a congregation are choosing to comply with the guidelines for two very important reasons: It is our Christian calling to obey our governments unless they are asking us to do something that is contrary to God’s will or Biblical teaching (Romans 13); none of the government mandates (wearing masks, distancing, smaller group sizes) violate God’s teachings; in fact, we could argue they affirm the Biblical call to care for the most vulnerable and to put the needs of others ahead of our own It is our Christian calling to love our neighbours and we believe that observing the restrictions placed on us is a powerful demonstration of this essential commandment. We recognize that not all congregations in our community are following what the government has mandated (eg. most churches in Winkler have been singing for weeks and some don’t social distance). We’ve chosen not to do what the majority is doing or to see how much we can get away with; instead we’ve chosen a path of greatest potential community benefit and care. Our decisions are in no way a sign that we don’t trust God to care for us (as some people suggest); our decisions indicate our deep love for all in our society and a recognition that God invites us to make wise, informed choices. Like Jesus in the wilderness (read Matthew 4:5-7), we don’t believe it is right to unnecessarily “put God to the test”, simply to satisfy some of our personal desires or discomforts. Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our community (and to comply with Government Code Orange mandates), we are choosing to make the following changes, effective Monday November 2. With all of you we are longing for the time when we can resume many of the things we used to do. We believe being careful now is the best path to that possibility. Sunday Morning Worship Will continue to be offered In-Person and Online but we will now only be able to welcome a maximum of 75 attenders to our in-person services All those attending will be required to pre-register for the service(s) they plan to attend; we will not be able to admit walk-ups Persons attending will be required to wear masks when entering, exiting or moving around within the building; masks are encouraged but optional when you are seated in a physically distant way. As in our schools, children grade 4 and younger are exempt from mask use. We will limit numbers on the stage to 5 or less. All other practices (careful entry and exit; physically distanced seating, etc.) will continue. In Person GPS will not be offered during the time that we are in Code Orange Wednesday Morning Coffee in the Foyer will not be offered during the time that we are in Code Orange A Last Word – There is nothing about Covid-19 that is predictable; things are changing rapidly. We realize that things may change again, as soon as next week or perhaps a few weeks down the road, and that there really won’t be a last word till a vaccine is created and effective. However, this is our plan for now while we’re in Code Orange. Please continue to pray for the church leadership as we make decisions and please, let’s remain united in Christ even if we don’t all interpret all decisions in the same way. We are all seeking to be faithful and “to be an inviting, Christ-centred community in which people are being transformed to live like Jesus.” On behalf of Church Council Executive and Staff (and in consultation with medical professionals)
COVID Chronicles - Portland Mennonite Church

COVID Chronicles is a project of Portland Mennonite Church (PMC) in Portland, Oregon. The purpose is to help people affiliated with PMC connect with each other during this time when we are not able to meet and worship in-person because of the global pandemic. Through podcast interviews, we hear stories about where we came from, how we came to be at PMC and what our lives are like during this historic time. The project began mid-July 2020.
An Anabaptist Sunday Morning

The time of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many changes in life's routine. Sunday mornings in the time of Covid mean staying at home and sheltering. Worship takes a form on these Sundays different from the usual routine. This short report tells about how Sundays have changed for me.
National church financial trends: Before and after COVID-19

Webinar recording: Churches have rapidly adapted to the financial swings of the COVID-19 pandemic – on top of significant adaptations in recent years due to changing societal trends. Lake Institute on Faith & Giving has conducted comprehensive research on this topic in two studies: 1) the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices, and 2) Faith and Giving in the Time of COVID-19. Listen to this webinar recording on these studies to learn more about the economic practices of congregations, including how they receive, manage, and spend financial resources in the midst of change.
COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund distributes most of initial funding

News release: In just over a month since its launch, the COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund distributed more than $735,000 to 159 churches in the United States facing critical financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Caring for each other through crisis

News release: How one church in the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis offers support, connection and hope.
Grants provide help for Anabaptist churches facing financial crisis

News release: From April 13 to May 11, 2020, the COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund has received more than 300 grant applications from churches facing financial hardships.
MDS, Everence and MCC launch COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund

News release: Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), Everence® and Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (MCC U.S.) have joined together to launch a COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund to aid churches facing financial crisis due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Everence offers assistance and relief options during COVID-19 outbreak

News release: As part of its mission to help people, churches, businesses and organizations integrate their faith and values into their financial decisions, Everence® is offering assistance and relief options to help members and customers impacted by the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.