For the last year, one church in Yorkton has been using technology to make sure its congregation doesn't miss a service.
The St. Andrews United Church has been holding its services virtually over Zoom, as well as, live-streaming the services over YouTube and Facebook.
Jen Dresser, the minister with St. Andrews, said that they've seen their attendance actually increase since they moved things virtually.
"It's been a really interesting experience and it's allowed people who couldn't get to church to now attend," she said. "People who used to come and then couldn't go out anymore are now able to come to church every Sunday, and it's also meant that we've had people who live further out of town or that have families and Sunday morning it's really hard, they've been more consistent."
She said that once everyone figured out the technology, things have been going smoothly.
"I would say it has really been well received. Overall, people are really enjoying it, and I think there are a group of people who are loving to be able to go to church in pajamas and have their coffee."
Dresser said that she feels the services are important as it allows people to connect.
"It continues to give us a sense of community and so we open the Zoom room about a half an hour before worships so people can come on early, they can have a little visit and say hello to each other so it continues to give that sense of community," she said. "During worship, when we do the prayer people can put stuff in the chat box which we can share with the community so I think that a lot of people are really feeling that sense of isolation with COVID and not being out and not seeing family and friends in the same way, so this is one way of sort of offering the sense of community and also a way of helping people feel like they are still connected to their church."
Dresser added that they will continue to hold these virtual services even when people are able to return in person to the church.
