Coronavirus: Easter services changes in Butler County

While churches won’t be packed for Easter this year due to the coronavirus, area churches will be celebrating Easter in a different way. Although Gov. Mike DeWine granted churches an exemption to the ban on large gatherings, most have been voluntarily livestreaming their services since mid-March.

“One of our wise leaders said we shouldn’t disrespect the governor’s recommendations,” said Trish Reynolds, office manager for the Presbyterian Church of Hamilton. “We can reach people in other ways. Members of our congregation have been calling each other about shut-ins to make sure everyone stays connected. Through the livestreams, we’re actually reaching people who’ve never come to our church before.”

Catholic churches in Ohio didn’t have the option to opt out. The Catholic Conference of Ohio banned public masses until May 3 (Gov. DeWine’s tentative date as well). For local Catholic clergy, this was received with mixed feelings.

“I was confused and still am confused,” said Father Rob Muhlenkamp, of the St. Peter in Chains Catholic Church in Hamilton. “This is a time when people need God the most, and we want to make it easy for people to come to God. But we understand how contagious this virus is and we don’t want to expose people unnecessarily. This is a very Catholic way of talking about it, but Holy Communion is a sacramental encounter with Jesus; it’s his body and blood. Without it, you’re separated from his body and blood. We need to find another way for people to get that spiritual nourishment.”

Father Muhlenkamp said he and other church officials are spending a lot of time on the phone to make sure people stay connected.

“It’s important to remind people they aren’t alone,” he said. “They need to be connected to the church and other members to maintain the warmth and friendship, the smiles and waves, they’re used to getting in person.”

Sarah Merkel, Pastoral Associate for Communications at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church Parish in Liberty Twp., also laments the physical separation of parishioners from what they believe to be the literal body and blood of Christ, but said everyone is finding coping strategies.

“It’s been weirdly unifying,” she said. “Social distancing for the well-being of others is a very Christian thing to do, and we’re all dealing with the same issue. People are watching the livestream and engaging with one another, taking pictures of their children watching in their PJs and sending them in.”

Based on the livestream numbers, Merkel said the church has lost little, if any, of its congregation.

What some churches are doing today:

St. Peter in Chains Catholic Church in Hamilton

Time: 9 a.m.

Platform: YouTube (will also be embedded on church’s Web page)

St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church

Time: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Platform: YouTube

Presbyterian Church of Hamilton

Time: 7:30 a.m. (Meditation), 10 a.m. (Easter service)

Platform: YouTube

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