Church services are a click away

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Although President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced that church gatherings will be allowed under strict conditions during level three lockdown, many churches in Graaff-Reinet will continue with online services.

Conditions, as shared with the Advertiser by AGS Kairos pastor Willem Klopper, include no more than 50 people in a church, masking tape on pews to ensure social distancing, and churches must be disinfected before each service.

Churchgoers' temperatures must also be taken before entry, masks are mandatory, and people older than 60 — or with chronic illnesses — must stay at home. No singing is allowed.

"We greatly appreciate the government's concession, but at the same time realise that church is more than a building or gathering, and that the permission has been made for the sake of churches with a limited number of members," the NG Church Graaff-Reinet's church council said in a statement.

As the church has many members, volunteers and staff to consider, they have decided not to resume services at the church building for June and will reconsider the decision at the end of June. They will continue with online services on Facebook and Youtube.

NG Church Graaff-Reinet pastor Ben van Tonder delivers an online service.
Photo: NG Graaff-Reinet/Facebook

The Assembly Church in Graaff-Reinet will also not resume services at the building on Caledon Street during level three lockdown.

"The size restriction and the safety of the church are the main factors," pastor Dolan Cochrane told the Advertiser. "The safest thing for us right now is to continue with online services," Cochrane told the large congregation in a video last week, adding that he looked forward to the day they could all meet again.

On behalf of the Trinity Methodist Church, Mariana Evans said that the church's situation is still under consideration, and there are no finite plans regarding reopening. "The church will continue with services on Youtube or written sermons via email, depending on the preacher of the day."

Assembly Church pastor Dolan Cochrane addresses the congregation via a video. Photo: Assembly Church Graaff-Reinet/ Facebook