Page 22 [22]
GHADA BARSOUM — EMAN SHENOUDA
Table 1. Types of newly introduced services
Newly Introduced Services Responses %
Remote medical service through volunteering doctors 64%
ICT-savvy youth helping in setting new systems 34%
Youth taking part in delivery of meals 32%
Meals prepared for people who were sick with COVID-19 26%
Volunteer Drivers to take COVID-19 patients to clinics 18%
ICT-savvy youth training others on technology 15%
Providing medical support to congregants was another key service, to be dis¬
cussed in more detail below. Summarizing the services offered, the following
quote lists all the approaches adopted by one church in the governorate of Bani
Suef. The priest notes:
All services continued (during the pandemic) except for Sunday school for the
primary and preparatory levels, and there are two priests, the number of families
served is 500 families. We had a medical service, where we brought oxygen devices
and medicines to quickly deal with patients in the area. The pandemic also allowed
for the discovery of new servants, making good use of the tremendous energies
of young people (St. Mark’s Church, Beba and Fashn District, Beni Suef Diocese).
This quote puts, in a nutshell, the details of the service in one church as its
leadership sought to adapt to the pandemic-induced situation. The survey’s
data also shows that 82% of the participating priests stressed the importance
of spiritual pastoral care and prayer meetings using digital technology. One
respondent noted in explanation that “prayer is the key to heaven and the door
of hope for everyone.” Regarding the frequency of prayer meetings, survey data
showed that 32% met with the congregation for prayer once a week, while 22%
indicated that they met with the congregation for prayer daily (at a fixed time
agreed upon). This demonstrates that the church’s spiritual focus is on reach¬
ing out to congregants, “as one heart to commune with God, fulfilling God’s
promise that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is in their midst,”
as one priest put it. Another priest also emphasized the continuous encourage¬
ment to pray at all times “because it makes individuals feel the peace of God
that fills their hearts to face any crisis.”
Given the importance of focusing on children and youth, a large number of
priests (87%) reported that their churches continued to provide Sunday School
service remotely. This highlights the Church’s concern for all age groups and
that they did not leave children to face their fears alone during this time.
Communication with the served individuals included social media, phone calls,
+ 20 +