One Year On[line] - Apart but Together

This week, I asked members of our staff team to share their thoughts about the last twelve months of online church:

• Adam Dixon – Parish Worker

• Emily Emmerson-Finch – Youth and Outreach Worker

• Steph Sanderson – Children and Family Outreach Worker

For more about Adam, Emily, and Steph, and their roles at HT, visit The Team page.

Here is what they had to say:

1. What have you found difficult about the services, either practically or spiritually (or both)?

Adam: For me, going online seemed like my entire job description changed!

Our first online service was the first time I had ever preached. I didn’t have much choice as Tim and everyone else in staff had COVID or were self-isolating.

So, in a practical sense, there was a whole host of problems to solve! Fortunately for me, I had an interest in video and music production for a while, though they had been hobbies rather than anything serious!

In a more spiritual sense, I did have a real feeling of grief, as many of us may have felt, when we first shut up shop.

I had been going to church pretty much every Sunday of my life so it took a while to get used to the idea of online church. Music has always been my passion in church so learning to adjust my ‘worship’ from playing music to using my IT skills took a bit of time reconcile.

Emily: Like most people, I miss seeing others in person and worshipping together. I miss singing together especially! On a practical note, I sometimes find it easier to get distracted by things around me at home than I do in church!

Steph: Although the music and songs have been performed and presented really well, I have found it hard simply to join in singing at home. I miss not being surrounded by a church full of people worshipping God together and the lovely sound that produces.

2. What has been the best thing about them, or what has surprised you the most?

Adam: I think being able to provide a service for the majority of the congregation each week has been immensely fulfilling. I also find it so encouraging to see the names pop-up on the live chat of those who have been unable to physically access church physically for numerous reasons. The online services have allowed us to do things we might not have been able to do in-person (and no, I don’t mean chat the whole way through the service!). We have seen so many familiar faces on our TVs/computer screens and each service has been a real collaborative effort!

Emily: It has been so wonderful to have so many different people involved in leading us, and it’s been great to put faces to names too! I love that people can join us wherever they are in the country and it’s a really accessible way for people to try church too!

Steph: Being online has allowed us to continue as a strong Christian community throughout this challenging time. The online services have been a lifeline to me and have given me something to hold on to and to look forward to each week.

I have really enjoyed seeing different members of our church on the screen and hearing them talk about their faith. I feel we have got to know each other more deeply even though we haven’t really physically met.

It has also been great that some people who would normally find it difficult to come to HT have been able to be part of us. Some of our family members who don’t even live in Newcastle have also been able to join us.

3. How/when have you felt God’s presence during the online services?

Adam: Watching the service with everyone is a strange experience for me as I have seen the majority of each service before Sunday mornings. I have felt God’s presence more often when I have put together music and heard the beautiful harmonies and melodies, and I can close my eyes and see myself in church. I particularly remember putting together Faithful One which, I think, was the first song which included Mary’s amazing violin playing which made me very emotional (sorry to embarrass you if you’re reading this, Mary!).

Emily: I’ve definitely felt God’s presence through the worship, through moments of reflection in the services and through stories people have shared. God has definitely been clearly speaking through our service themes and preachers too. I found the ‘Stretch’ series particularly helpful and inspiring, as we think about where God is stretching us and moving us as a church.

Steph: I think, for me, I have been reminded of God’s presence each week as we have gathered together online – the family of HT, apart but together!

God is with us in our homes and holding us together as a community of believers through this difficult time. He is at work, despite our separation from one another, and one day (hopefully soon!) He will bring us back together again, stronger in faith and more deeply in love with Him.

Thank you Adam, Emily, and Steph for sharing with us this week. Please continue to pray for them and the rest of the staff team as they continue to lead us through this uncertain time.

What about you?

Why not use the comments section below to add your own thoughts on these three questions:

• What have you found difficult about the services, either practically or spiritually (or both)?

• What has been the best thing about them, or what has surprised you the most?

• How/when have you felt God’s presence during the online services?