Faith-based organisations speak out about effects of Covid-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently eased several restrictions under adjusted level three, which included permitting faith-based gatherings, subjected to heath protocols.

The City Times spoke to three religious organisations in Benoni to get their views, how the pandemic has affected the organisation and how they will operate moving forward.

The Church of the WAY and The Crystal Park Baptist Church opened its doors to the public for services, while SMKSSA Temple in Actonville has decided to remain closed to the public.

SMKSSA

Raveen Moonsamy, from the temple, explained the initial lockdown level five was completely necessary to restrict religious gatherings, especially due to the rapid spread of the virus.

“Although the president has allowed religious gatherings to take place, we have taken an informed decision to remain closed to the public.

“We are a public-serving organisation and will not be able to restrict devotees from attending temple functions/gatherings.”

He added that their premises do not warrant them to accommodate more than 20 people at a time due to space constraints.

“In keeping with the social distancing protocols, the space inside the temple has to be further restricted.

“This is one of the reasons we opted not to open to the public.”

The temple has taken a virtual approach with regards to prayers; a YouTube channel was set up that provides live feeds for their devotees to be part of the prayer.

“We have done our first virtual prayer in January, which proved to be greatly successful.

“We received feedback from our devotees, who have expressed their gratitude for allowing them to still be a part of the prayer despite not being able to be physically present,” said Moonsamy.

Finance

SMKSSA is a public benefit and NPO solely reliant on donations to ensure the running of the temple.

“Over the lockdown period, it has proven difficult to maintain the running costs and general maintenance of the temple.

“We have struggled to get to our targets for the last year due to the non-receipt of financial assistance.

“However, with the assistance we have received, we were still able to maintain the temple for the last 11 months we have remained closed to the public,” he said.

He highlighted that during the lockdown they were fortunate enough to still be able to assist destitute families with food parcels and hope to continue to assist where possible.

“The well-being of the community is and will always be close to our hearts and we will always be ready to assist families in need.”

The organisation is appealing to its devotees to assist where possible so they can continue providing the services to the community while understanding the financial impact that the lockdown has placed on everyone.

“We know circumstances have placed many families in a different financial position than before lockdown commenced, and would not want to put any further strain on our devotees to assist.”

Spiritual support

Many people were adversely affected by not being able to attend the temple, also during funerals where services were offered to the family for the 16 days after the death of a loved one.

Due to safety concerns, the temple is not able to provide this service.

“We offer spiritual support to our devotees who may require through any of our communication channels, WhatsApp, email or telephone calls.

“The temple will always provide assistance when needed, and health and safety protocols will not be compromised,” he concluded.

Church of the WAY

Past Jay Glove said permitting religious gatherings was vital for the community, as the church provides a key role in supporting, counselling and caring for people experiencing distress during these strange times.

Safety protocols

Glove explained they have removed seats and spaced the remaining seating further apart to comply with spacing and numbers requirements.

To attend the service, congregants are advised to register in advance for the church to manage the numbers effectively.

“We have sanitiser stations at entrances and exits to meeting rooms, congregants have to wear masks and are advised to stay home if they are not feeling well – and to let us know so that we can follow up with further pastoral support.”

The church has continued with live stream services to accommodate those who cannot attend.

Finance

He explained the church has seen a reduction in regular contributions, but this has been offset by generous once-off contributions and lower expenditure due to lower running costs of facilities.

Spiritual support

“We have made a dedicated WhatsApp number available for congregation members to communicate with the church.

“Our staff regularly contact the congregation, as well as a small group of the church remain in contact with their members and have made use of WhatsApp and Zoom to have virtual meetings for prayer and support.”

The church offers council services every Monday to Friday subject to the relevant regulations, as pastoral staff remains available by appointment.

Service

The church is based at the corner of Great North and Brentwood Park roads. Service starts at 9am every Sunday.

Crystal Park Baptist Church

Past Mark Penrith said he sees the State as an institution separate from the church and is wary of any restrictions the State might place on the practices of the church.

“On the other hand, God also commands Christians, within the limits of obedience to God, to submit to their rulers.

“We abided by the rules related to religious gatherings, and I’m head over heels with excitement that the restrictions have been partially lifted.”

Safety protocols

The church appointed a health and safety officer in March and adopted a Covid-19 plan that included:

• Hand sanitiser available for all visitors, specifically at reception and security stations.

• Adequate distance (1.5m) to be kept between visitors, including at meetings.

• No stationery and tools to be shared.

• No cutlery and crockery to be shared. Visitors should make tea and coffee themselves.

• Cleaners to wear masks and gloves when sanitising and cleaning offices, including emptying of bins. Single-use/disposable gloves and masks must be disposed of after use, in a responsible manner.

• All visitors to be temperature screened in the morning and any visitor with symptoms to be isolated as described above, and procedure followed.

• A detailed register of visitors/entries through the gate, with phone numbers, to track contacts should an incident occur.

The church has two services with socially distanced seating for 100 at each (50 indoors and 50 outdoors).

“We’re able to accommodate everyone who comes without the need to book a seat at this stage.”

Finance

“We adjusted our budget in March, anticipating Covid-19 would be with us for two years and we’d experience a drop in income.

“We made provision for increased assistance to our members financially affected by lockdown,” he said.

Glove explained they also allocated savings for audio-visual and health and safety equipment.

“Our plans have turned out to have been good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.”

Spiritual support

The church office is open from Monday to Friday for those who need spiritual support.

“Staff and lay-trained counsellors are available between 9am and noon by appointment.

“We run a prayer chain which has included constant prayer requests and praise items.”

Service

Crystal Park Baptist Church is based at 1 Clydesdale Road, Crystal Park. Sunday service starts at 8.30am to 9.45am and 10.30am to 11.45am.

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