The national COVID-19 lockdown has made it more important than ever for local churches to stay connected - both with their parishioners and the wider community.

Ian Hyslop, pastor at the Wanaka Presbyterian Community Church Centre, summed up the issues churches are grappling with when he said: “The big challenge for us is learning to do church differently.”  

The Upper Clutha Presbyterian Church has two churches in the district: the Wanaka Presbyterian Community Church Centre in Tenby St and the Hawea congregation, which meets at St Ninian’s in Hawea Flat. 

Both churches are livestreaming their services on their two Facebook pages: search for Wanaka Presbyterian Community Church and St Ninian’s Church Hawea. They’ve also set up a Youtube channel, which has recordings from the past two Sundays now. 

“On the first Sunday we had over a thousand views on our Youtube channel,” Ian said. “Some of those were visitors to Wanaka who are now overseas, as well as our regular congregation.” 

Wanaka Presbyterian is also using the Zoom app for leadership meetings, two prayer groups and the youth group. 

The church also has a pastoral care network to check up on older and vulnerable people in the congregation. 

“We have about 15 to 20 people who usually hand deliver newsletters,” Ian said. “So now we’ve given them a new job: to check up on people who may be struggling, by phone or text message.”

Ian said he and his Hawea counterpart Aaron Johnston are always keeping an eye out for those who are facing financial hardship, and they work closely with Community Networks to provide food parcels for those who need them.

Judy Ward, who is co-pastor at Wanaka New Life church with her husband Wayne, said the lockdown has meant they’re a lot busier than usual. 

“We’ve been busy getting everyone connected to Zoom for small groups,” she said. “Also, for anyone who’s distressed or unsure about the lockdown, Wayne and I are very happy to pray with them over the phone.”

Wanaka New Life Church is putting its regular Sunday service on Facebook live at 10.30am each Sunday. You can find this on the church’s facebook page. 

At St Columba’s Anglican Church in Wanaka, vicar Damon Plimmer is similarly busy. “We’re making sure everyone is contactable, that we have all the right contact details so we can put in place new resources and support,” he said.

Damon is sending out a weekly service for people by email on a Sunday morning, which includes readings for the week, short reflections and links to music and other resources.

He is also continuing with his regular services at Aspiring Enliven Care Centre and Emslie House, using Zoom.

St Columba’s also works closely with the Wanaka Community Hub and Community Networks to provide support to people in the community who need it. Damon said he had been very impressed with the offers of support from local people.

“Everyone seems to be stepping up and helping,” he said. “The support networks are already strong - the key thing is to put in place the systems to help them function during the lockdown.”

Damon encouraged Anglicans around Otago to join the Bishop’s daily service, also provided through Zoom.    

At Holy Family Catholic Church in Aubrey Road, Rev Martin Flannery has had to stop taking communion to the homes of people who can’t make it to church easily. 

“I’ve been ringing a lot of people up instead and that’s helped me get a better sense of how they’re getting on,” he said.

Martin also recommends the website of the National Liturgy Office, which has a selection of material for people to read and follow at home, and the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin facebook page.