A New and Better Normal

As restrictions lift, people get vaccinated, and concerns about the pandemic ease, life gradually starts to return to ‘normal’. It’s not too soon for some, who have longed for more physical contact and more opportunity for social interaction after church. Many were relieved when they no longer had to pre-register to go to church, and could simply show up and register at the door. Others were counting down the days until the province reached Reopening Stage 2, and they could dance again. Plenty of people couldn’t wait until masks were no longer required in public.

But no one has said ‘I can’t wait until the pandemic is over and I don’t have to wash my hands again,’ or ‘I can’t wait until the pandemic is over and I don’t have to stay home from work when I’m sick.’ We know that there have been many social developments that have been definite improvements and ought to be kept long after the crisis is over. Some people have found innovative ways to be flexible and work from home. Others have realized that sometimes travel for meetings wasn’t really necessary, when video or even teleconferences will suffice. The convenience of ordering online for curbside pickup can be an improvement in many contexts. And church online is not about to go away any time soon.

Did you know that as a search term, ‘Church Online’ is more popular in Newfoundland...

This post originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of Anglican Life.

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