Churches adapt to plan Holy Week observances
The way of being church has changed over the past month for the many congregations in the Skaneateles area.
In order to comply with the COVID-19 social distancing protocols issued by New York State, the pews in church buildings on Sunday mornings are empty; however, the congregations and their ministries still are thriving online.
Churches have also had to make difficult decisions about gatherings that would normally be fast approaching to celebrate Easter.
The Annual Village Stations of the Cross hosted by the Skaneateles Ecumenical Clergy Association will not be held this year on Good Friday, Rev. Joellyn Tuttle of the United Methodist Church, said in a press release.
But St. James’ will host a livestreamed Stations of the Cross service on Tuesday, April 7.
This can be accessed by visit St. James’ Episcopal Church’s website, stjamesskan.org.
In addition, the press release also announced the Community Easter Sunrise Service usually held at 6:30 a.m. at the gazebo at Clift Park is cancelled for this year.
“This joyous celebration which included persons from many congregations and our community-at-large will be missed as we continue our social distancing to keep members of our community healthy,” Tuttle wrote. “We invite you to celebrate Easter in your own homes and connecting with Worship services online.”
Two churches will be livestreaming their Holy Week Services. St. James’ Episcopal Church’s services can be found on Facebook at: FaceBook@StJamesSkaneateles.
Their worship services are: Palm Sunday – 9 and 10:45 a.m.; Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week – 7 a.m.; Stations of the Cross – Tuesday -7 p.m.; Tenebrae – Wednesday -7 p.m.; Maundy Thursday – 7 p.m.; Good Friday – 7 p.m.; First Service of Easter – Saturday, 4 p.m. and Easter Sunday – 9 and 10:45 a.m.
First Presbyterian Church livestreams their worship services at 10 a.m. Sunday mornings via facebook.com/skanpresby.
In addition, from Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. until the April 12, Easter 10 a.m. worship service, there will be an online prayer vigil with a slideshow composed of music and images for reflection on their website, skanpresby.org.
Skaneateles United Methodist Church, skanum.weebly.com and Grace Chapel, gconline.org are posting their worship services on their websites.
In addition to Sunday worship, Skaneateles United Methodist will post a Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service at 7 pm, and Grace Chapel will post their Good Friday Worship.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will post their printed Sunday Messages at their website, htlutheranchurch.org.
St. Mary’s of the Lake recommends the Daily Masses with Bishop Lucia found at youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7OV2qwFf3HQ3wCC9UFLkKTZozJeZHSFO as means of staying connected with the church during Holy Week and throughout April.
The clergy of Skaneateles also want to provide for the continuing spiritual and emotional needs of our congregations and community, Tuttle wrote in her press release.
Church members can contact any of the clergy through their church office phone numbers, but for additional mental health counseling clergy suggest the following Hotlines: New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314, The Arise Mental Health line for Onondaga County 1-315-671-2955, and the number for Cayuga County Mental Health is 1-315-253-0341. Other critical help lines for Onondaga County are: Hotline for Senior Citizens for Nutritional Information & Resources: 315-218-1987, Child Care Solutions: 315-446-1220, VolunteerCNY.org: 315-428-2229, Upstate Triage Hotline: 315-464-3979; for Cayuga County Health Department. Website: CayugaCounty.us Phone: 315-253-1560. And to either seek help or offer help locally contact: Jacque McConnaghy 315-283-4231, Town of Skaneateles Outreach Coordinator.
