Congregations, Public Health, Technology
July 8, 2020 inSo, what happens to a yoga ministry in the age of COVID-19?
Beginning in March 2019, Yoga at Redeemer gathered at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jamison on Sunday mornings and occasional Saturday evenings for gentle, beginner-friendly yoga, meditation and prayer, with themes for each class designed around the weekly lectionary and the liturgical seasons. Instead of charging fees, Yoga at Redeemer encouraged donations of nonperishable food or cash to benefit St. John’s Food Pantry. In 2019, Yoga at Redeemer raised $610 and collected countless nonperishable food items for the food pantry.
Welcoming all, regardless of yoga experience or faith background, approximately 30 individuals from within and outside of Redeemer had attended at least one class or event by the time Yoga at Redeemer celebrated its one-year anniversary at the beginning of March 2020. In recognition of innovating a form of ministry that combines spiritual awareness, physical health, fellowship and support of mission partners, Yoga at Redeemer received an ELCA-SEPA Synod “Forward Together in Faith” grant of $1,000 in January 2020.
Such exciting times for a new ministry to grow in serving the spiritual and physical needs of its community!
But then the pandemic struck. When social distancing was first recommended, Yoga at Redeemer temporarily suspended operations, with the hope of resuming classes shortly. Once the stay-at-home order was issued, it became evident that a longer-range plan would be needed.
Since its launch, Yoga at Redeemer has been primarily promoted through technology. As of January 2020, Yoga at Redeemer’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/yogaatredeemer – had 79 followers, with approximately 30 individuals receiving weekly updates via text or the Facebook Messenger app. So it was only natural that Yoga at Redeemer quickly pivoted to live streaming technology.
Using Facebook Live, the newly dubbed Yoga at Redeemer – Virtual Edition introduced “15 Minutes of Meditation.” Offered several mornings and evenings each week, the practice includes gentle seated stretches that can be performed on the floor, in a chair, or even in bed, followed by meditation and prayer focused on a theme from that Sunday’s readings. As always, participants are urged to generously support their local food pantries, especially in this time of dramatically increased need. At the request of its regular attendees, Yoga at Redeemer also resumed Sunday morning classes via Zoom thanks to the “Forward Together in Faith” grant funds!
The response to Yoga at Redeemer – Virtual Edition has far exceeded expectations. The Yoga at Redeemer Facebook page now has 289 followers. Every live streamed “15 Minutes of Meditation” is posted to the Facebook page, so that anyone seeking to connect with their breath, quiet their mind and open their heart to the presence of God can do so at any time. Further, Yoga at Redeemer’s Sunday morning classes have grown. Thirteen additional individuals have attended at least one class – including participants as nearby as Doylestown and as far away as New Jersey, New York, Texas and Iowa! These results make clear that even once classes resume in person, live streaming must remain an integral component of the Yoga at Redeemer community.
It is also clear that even in the midst of a global public health emergency, the Holy Spirit is still at work, presenting new opportunities and tools to spread the good news and to meet others at their place of need in innovative ways. Who knew that the Holy Spirit was so tech-savvy??
If you haven’t already done so, please join Yoga at Redeemer – Virtual Edition for 15 Minutes of Meditation! Schedules are posted weekly at www.facebook.com/yogaatredeemer. For weekly text or Facebook Messenger updates, including links to Sunday morning Zoom classes, contact Kristi Robinson by email. Thanks also for spreading the word to anyone who might be interested. Peace, love and joy to you!