TACOMA, Wash. — Sunday marks the religious holiday Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week for Christians around the world. The day is generally an important one at local churches but with many forced to close their doors and meet online because of the coronavirus, it seemed like honoring sacred traditions might have to be skipped.
The Allen AME Church in Tacoma decided to get creative to help the congregation and the public make a spiritual connection.
All the usual symbolism; a cross, an altar, and some palms were brought from inside the Church to the outside. The blessing seemed just as heartfelt as Pastor Anthony Steele pronounced the words from behind a mask, in the back parking lot.
This is how a church does communion in a time of coronavirus: pre-packaged elements, a message shared over a telephone line, a basket of toilet paper nearby.
“We've never had to be out in the parking lot. We've never had to wear masks, we've never had to wear gloves, we've never had to put toilet paper and make these things available,” Steele explained.
The quarantine has been tough on churches. They've seen a drop in offerings and have been forced to furlough staff. Still, they've heard from so many who need connection with each other and God more than ever, but Steele promises followers the nation will get through this.
“Just keep the faith out there, don't stop, don't be afraid and keep the faith,” he said.
One by one, people drove up to take part in communion.
While it may look a little different, Mae Maddox, who received communion, said with everything going on in the world, it almost feels more significant taking it this way.
“I don't fear it because I know there is a God and I know he's in control of it all," she explained from her car.
Even Steele said it's not easy to make sense of it all but he hopes the legacy of this virus isn't about sickness, but rather about healing.
“I believe God is sending us a message we ought to always take care of each other,” he said. “We ought to always be thinking about how we can get together and sit down.”