With crowds banned to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, faith leaders throughout the South Shore have turned to the internet to broadcast services and reach out to the faithful.
Even for the Rev. Tim Schenck, who was an early adopter of social media and already does a portion of his ministry online, there’s been a learning curve for broadcasting services online.
“We’ve taken a brick-and-mortar institution and turned it into a virtual one out of necessity,” said the Rev. Schenck. “We don’t have high production values, but it’s more about building community.”
Not everyone, however, has internet access. The Rev. Schenck, of St. John the Evangelist, an Episcopal church in Hingham, said it “breaks his heart” that a segment of his congregation can’t participate either because they aren’t online or lack the know-how. He said the church has enlisted members with a better grasp of the internet to try to help those without.