Bible scholar Paul Franklyn helps lead the Friendship Sunday School class of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, by videoconference March 15, 2020, after church leadership encouraged people to worship from home in response to the coronavirus. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
Need to know: Friday, April 10, 2020
As a pandemic peaks at Christianity’s Easter climax, churches adapt online
Social distancing measures have caused radical dislocations for a holiday that is at once one of the most mystical and most hands-on in world religion.
See which states have religious exemptions in their stay-at-home orders
Track how COVID-19 restrictions in each state relate to religious groups and worship services.
Shunning online services, some clergy preach ‘abstinence’ from gathered worship
A Missouri pastor said, ‘we don’t believe that a live stream is a real, actual substitute for a church gathering.’
Under St. Peter’s dome, Catholic charities help homeless stay safe from coronavirus
Pope Francis brought attention to the plight of the homeless, who have no place to stay during the coronavirus pandemic, in a recent interview with his biographer.
After a Holy Week disrupted by death, an honest Easter
We are heading into an Easter that stares straight into the eyes of death and empire and still declares love stronger than the grave, writes Laura Everett.
Benedictine nuns release Gregorian chants to help ease coronavirus isolation
French order opens abbey doors to allow what could be the largest recording project ever.
Latest news from RNS
Jews around the world prepare for a Passover different from any other
Despite the COVID-19 crisis, more Jewish households worldwide are now expected to host their own Seder — virtually or in person — than ever before.
A new book explores the evolution of the DIY handbook for Passover
Vanessa Ochs’ new book, ‘The Passover Haggadah: A Biography,’ recounts how this wine-stained ritual manual, handed to each participant around the seder table, evolved. And no, she doesn’t think the coronavirus will emerge as the 11th plague.
How faith leaders can help the most vulnerable in a lockdown
Important online and telephone support services for people in quarantine with substance use disorders or people in crisis.
More views from RNS
Why Holy Week is made for this pandemic
(RNS) — The suffering servants that the prophet Isaiah speaks of are the doctors, nurses and caretakers who are risking their lives, getting sick and dying after ministering to those who are sick.
In a virtual Easter season, matter still matters for Catholics
(RNS) — Most Catholics understand why we’ll have to stream our Easter celebrations this year, but digital connection is not the coin of the realm in our worship.
This year Easter will feel more like Passover
Rather than putting on their new Easter clothes and gathering at church, Christian families may find it meaningful to read from Exodus together, writes Stephen B. Chapman.
