Worship in uncertain times

worship AGLOW during the pandemic

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Holiday worship in Taos County in 2020 changed a great deal compared to seasons of the past because of the current novel coronavirus pandemic. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham releases new orders for public safety during rising cases when necessary. On Oct. 22, Catholic Archbishop John Wester sent communication about the situation to the pastors in his charge regarding what he termed “the perfect storm.” He wrote, “Normally scheduled Mass should be streamed via the internet and/or recorded as best possible so it may be accessed by people at home.” The trend continues with various denominations within Taos County, impacting the

Christmas and Chanukah season.

Not every church possesses the technology to stream live or recorded events, and some have not completed their schedules as of press time. Some church leaders await future governor’s orders to complete their plans. In such cases, this article refers to websites and other contact information for updating purposes.

Catholic worship

Plans for Catholic church worship includes participation of mission chapels (capillas) within schedules of the main parish. OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH (serving missions in Cañón, El Prado, La Loma, Ranchitos and Taos Pueblo) offers a live streamed, recorded choral concert Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, at 4 p.m. with an uploaded Mass on ologtaos.com, available early Christmas Day, Friday.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish presents a recorded weekly Mass every Sunday, keeping current with intentions and services. The church opened to 25 percent capacity for two weeks, then reverted to website Mass since October to comply with pandemic protocol.

TAOS PUEBLO plans to continue offering COVID-protocol outdoor vespers only to tribal members with no current plans to share on the internet. Taos Pueblo remains closed to the public.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH in Ranchos de Taos (missions in Llano Quemado, Los Córdovas and Talpa) features information on its Facebook page, YouTube and livestream at sfranchos.org.

ST. ANTHONY’S PARISH in Peñasco and its Dixon mission (dixonpenascocc.org) does not plan an internet presence. Likewise, St. Anthony’s in Questa (missions in Amalia, Cerro, Costilla and Red River) offers no electronic plans.

Holy Trinity Parish in Arroyo Seco (missions in Arroyo Hondo, Las Colonias, San Cristóbal and Valdez) plans to update information via the website nmmountaincatholic.org.

Protestant worship

Protestant denominations also plan to celebrate the spiritual season as best as possible during these uncertain times.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN TAOS

awaits future COVID developments, and officials provide information online via firstpresbyteriantaos.com.

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Ranchos PRESBYTERIAN Church’s worship will be via the internet to share services with the congregation. Limited social distancing, hand sanitizing and masks remain requirements for those attending in person when protocols permit. Otherwise, parish officials offer words to hymns, sermons, Bible readings, a letter from the pastor, Order of Worship, etc. through email, the website and U.S. mail on a weekly basis. Parishioners who feel uncomfortable attending in person may create an at-home altar. Children receive information on projects involving Bible readings. Christmas atmosphere has always included a candlelight service and bells, and the parish hopes to continue the tradition this year. For more information, contact ranchospresbyterianchurch.org.

EL PUEBLITO METHODIST CHURCH

awaits governor’s orders for holiday worship. To check future developments, write to cherilealyon@gmail.com.

To obtain information regarding Christmas celebration at ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, visit the website stjamestaos.com.

The SANGRE DE CRISTO LUTHERAN CHURCH in Taos lists its web presence as sangre-de-cristo-lutheran-church-nm. hub/business for more information.

Three area Baptist churches remain COVID-aware via their internet presence. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TAOS uses the email address randy@fbctaos. org. TAOS VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH publishes information on the Facebook page Taos-Valley-Baptist-Church.

RED RIVER’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

communicates information on services

PICTURED: A morada (a chapel for worship, education and sacrifice) used by penitentes, a lay brotherhood of Spanish-American Roman Catholic men active in Northern and central New Mexico and southern Colorado. They gather in moradas, which are not formal churches. FILE PHOTO on its Facebook page facebook.com/ First-Baptist-Church-Red River.

Other denominations

Other denominations include web addresses for the convenience of interested persons. TAOS FOURSQUARE CHURCH uses two electronic addresses: fousquare.org and on Instagram, Taos Foursquare Church. LIVING WORD MINISTRIES in Questa remain available via lwmsite.org.

Signs of the times

When phoning parish offices, note that a person may not always answer. Some offices remain closed in accordance with the restriction of church activity. The Taos phone directory lists at least 30 churches in Taos County. If this article did not include the church of your interest, please call the pertinent office or search the internet for more information.

Participation in worship may not occur via the internet, by email, postal mail or in person. If one does not possess the ability or desire to worship in the above-mentioned manner(s), then individual spiritual worship remains possible.

Television and DVDs feature Christmas season programming. Personal prayer may include meditation and reading material. Home activity such as preparing a Christmas stable replica and other decor helps spread the joy of the season. Much spiritual music presents the Christmas story.

In general, Taos County area churches strive to celebrate special traditional rituals as best as possible during trying, uncertain times. The memory of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic provides a disheartening historical perspective: Four waves; 550,000 deaths in the United States; and worldwide, one-third of the total population at the time lost their lives to the illness.

As the COVID-19 numbers continue to grow and fluctuate, Christmas and holiday celebrations will continue to adapt to the changing times.

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Architectural Rendering of our new North Side Location Opening Fall of 2021 (36 State Hwy 150 Across from Pizano’s Pizza)

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