The COVID-19 pandemic is an everyday major inconvenience, but for area churches during the holiday season, trying to keep worshipers safe while maintaining holiday traditions can be especially challenging.
Here is what we know about some nearby holiday services, both online and in-person. Because of the weather and restrictions in response to the disease, please check out the appropriate website on the day of any scheduled event.
Beth Am Synagogue
Mitzvah Day – It’s normally a gathering at the synagogue on Dec. 25 to prepare and deliver holiday dinners to our neighbors in need. Our building may be closed, but our community is open! This year Beth Am members will team up to remotely prepare and deliver holiday meals for 36 families, selected by the staff at our neighborhood school, Dorothy I. Height Elementary. If you want to help, check the website or email serpick@gmail.com.
Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church
Annual Christmas pageant – fully online. Come and celebrate the Christmas story with a cast of characters via Zoom – Sunday, Dec. 20, 11 am.
Longest Night service – a contemplative worship service to honor the grief and sadness that many experience during this season of loss and to receive the hope that comes when we name our truth before God. Monday, Dec. 21, 7 pm.
Christmas Eve service of lessons and carols – Thursday, December 24 – 5:30 pm Hybrid Worship service. A limited number of pre-registered participants can join the in-person part of this hybrid worship service in the sanctuary. All others are welcome to join via Zoom. Online participants bring your candles. Those who would like to come in person please check the website for important safety updates and notifications, as we reserve the right to move this service entirely online should conditions warrant it.
Corpus Christi Catholic Parish
http://corpuschristibaltimore.org
Christmas Eve Mass – Mass will be held on the Parking Lot next to the church – weather permitting – if bad weather it will be held inside – limited capacity. Dec. 24: 2:00 pm. Also a 4 pm Mass will be held in-person and on Zoom.
Christmas Day Mass – In-person and possibly on Zoom Dec. 25: 10:30 am ease realize that because of the Baltimore city and the archdiocesan restrictions our space is limited.
For non-parishioners and visitors who wish to join via Zoom please send an email to either Kristen Bowden (kristen.bowden@archbalt.org) or Fr. Marty (mdemek@archbalt.org), and we will send the connection for the Masses.
Memorial Episcopal Church
https://www.memorialboltonhill.org/
Memorial Episcopal is promoting local holiday shopping with an online Christmas market.
E-faith@8 – Informal, community led service with more questions than answers and an open spot for whoever appears. On Zoom Sunday, Dec. 20 at 8 am.
E-Church – More traditional service, available via Zoom and YouTube Sunday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 am. See the website for entry instructions.
Caroling – The church also is planning a Christmas Caroling event, at spots to be announced in the 1300 – 1500 blocks of Bolton Street. Details will be posted on Facebook and the church website.
–Bill Hamilton
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