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Good Friday with a difference as churches turn to social media to reach congregants

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It is that time of the year whereby millions of Christians worldwide gather to listen to Jesus Christ’s last words on the cross. Since the implementation of the nationwide lockdown two weeks ago aimed at combatting the spread of COVID-19, public and other social gatherings, including church and funeral services, are not allowed unless where special permission with strict conditions has been granted.

Religious ministers are therefore compelled to deliver their sermons in front of empty chairs and come up with innovative ways to reach congregants. This is the first Good Friday ever that Christians in South Africa won’t be able to go to church.

“It’s my first time, also first time to most of us. And we need to be very creative. We have to reach where are our people are. It’s challenging as not all our people have facilities, the media or digital instrument to get these messages,” says Reverend Sipho Somngesi of the Methodist Church in the Makhanda Synod.

The service will be live streamed and be packaged in a podcast as well as on other social media platforms at a later stage, but Somngesi admits technology has its own challenges.

“We should be sensitive to the time. We cannot be too long. It must be just on time for our viewers and for those who have not these kind of devices.”

According South African Zionist Churches public relations officer, Archbishop Jackie Bokoloshe, they are prepared for their sermons nationwide.

“We are going to be live on Facebook and WhatsApp. As we speak, I am compiling all the seven words that we are going to put on WhatsApp and Facebook.”

Meanwhile, Noleen Moodaley, a regular churchgoer, can’t remember the last time she missed an Easter service.

“We have a live streaming. There will be a message coming in from our priest. We have a WhatsApp group, where we can go in and listen. But there is a huge difference. It’s not the same but at least you are getting the word.”

In the video below, Pastor Bhongolethu Mzozo speaks to SABC News  about  how coronavirus has turned their world upside down:

 

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