Online worship set to continue at churches in Inverness
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Churches in the Inverness area are set to continue online services for the time being, despite an easing of lockdown restrictions.
From yesterday, in time for Easter week, churches across Scotland were able to reopen their doors for communal worship for up to 50 people.
But several city churches have indicated they will continue to provide online services as they continue to review the situation.
In addition, 15 churches across the city have come together to record readings, hymns and share communion together for a service which will be live-streamed on Thy Kingdom Come Inverness’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page on April 2 at 7pm.
Churches preparing to reopen their doors include Ness Bank Church.
It will reopen on Maundy Thursday, but will continue to live-stream services which are attended by about 150 people.
Rev Fiona Smith said priority to attend services in person will be given to those without digital access.
"This is a hugely important step just before Easter, particularly for those who cannot access online services," she said.
As congregations await further easing of restrictions, many are looking forward to being able to sing again.
"That is the biggie," Rev Smith said. "It is such an essential part of worship."
Barn Church in Culloden is not planning to reopen its doors immediately, but is keeping the situation under review.
Rev Mike Robertson said it will continue to provide online services and has just managed to be able to fund an upgrade of the audio visual set-up in the church.
"The reality is we are not able to sing at services or gather beforehand," he said.
"There is no hospitality.
"We are only allowed to open for worship – the conditions are very different to what we would normally have. Although people are missing the connection, it works pretty effectively online."
Inverness Christian Fellowship is unable to open its doors just yet as it holds services at Merkinch Community Centre which, under the current restrictions, remains closed.
Karen Halkett, a co-pastor alongside her husband, Robbie, said: “We are still ploughing on with online services and encouraging people to do garden visits now that you can have four people together from two households.
"We have a tent in the back garden so we can start having folk around."
She has also pre-recorded a baby dedication which will be screened as part of tomorrow’s service.
Lee and Cheryl Diffin, of Culcabock, took part in the ceremony for their son, Cole, while his godparents in Glasgow were also filmed via a Zoom call.
"We will be celebrating Palm Sunday and new life," Mrs Halkett said.
Chris Dowling, co-pastor of the King’s Fellowship at Smithton, said his church would not be opening the doors just yet but would focus on live streaming services on Sunday mornings and look at other opportunities to gather people at church at different times.
"Over the last year we have seen new people connect to our church through the live streaming of services and digital small group mid-week gathering so we have no doubt it’s here to stay," he said.
"But we also cannot ignore that our congregation and community value face-to-face contact enormously, which is why we feel we need two different strategies to create as many different touch points as we can for people as we rebuild."
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Huntly Street has opened its doors following a ruling on Wednesday by the Court of Session which deemed Covid regulations forcing the closure of places of worship in Scotland had been unlawful.
It held mass on Thursday with precautions in place, but those wanting to attend masses on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday will have to book a place – with numbers limited to 48 at each of the six services on both days.
Other city churches said the ruling would not alter their plans to continue with online services.
Related story: Carols go online as churches in Inverness join forces
