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Elizabeth Dalziel

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31 images Created 3 Oct 2020

PANDEMIC ALTERS WORSHIP

London and its environs are home to a notable diversity of faiths and flocks. Rites that have been the bedrock of their beliefs for centuries had to evolve swiftly during the pandemic lockdown to be safe and relevant for the faithful amid global uncertainty.

In the village of Northchurch, Anglicans normally worship in the more than 1,000-year-old St. Mary’s Church. That ended March 24 when the Church of England closed all its buildings, and Rev. Jonathan Gordon began recording and broadcasting services via smartphone. “It posed an immediate and immense challenge,” he said. “We had to rethink how we did everything.”

In Neasden, a London suburb, a magnificent Hindu temple of carved stone constructed according to ancient Vedic architectural texts usually welcomes thousands of visitors a day. Now the Mandir gets just a trickle of devotees who book appointments online to keep the crowds down.
Everywhere there are reminders of the unusual times: smart screen devices flashing images of Hindu deities allow for contactless donations, and after each prayer session, workers in full-body protective suits swoop in to sanitize surfaces that may have been touched.

At a suburban home in Hemel Hempstead, the Patel family dressed in their best saris watched attentively in their living room as Hindu s gurus spoke to them through their video screen. “That is what we would have worn to the temple,” said Hemali Patel, “so it felt only right to dress for the occasion.”
Taking worship virtual has been particularly challenging for the Orthodox Jewish community, which are proscribed from using electronics on Shabbat, their day of rest. Rabbi Mordechai Chalk broadcasts video services from his home Fridays just before sunset.
“L’chaim,” he toasted in Hebrew recently, connected to the congregation via Zoom. His children ran into the picture to peer curiously at his laptop, before Shira Chalk, his wife, whisked them away.
The Buddhist Amvrati monastery decided to simply close its doors and retreat inward to protect the communal way of life of its yellow-robed monks.
At the Cambridge Central Mosque in the city of the same name, Imam Ali Tos has found solace in a slow reopening. Mats are now spaced a meter and a half apart during prayers, and worshippers are asked to bring their own.
“The mosque is not only a place of worship” the imam said, “it is the center of our lives.”

But religions have endured trauma countless times before, and indeed, many of the tenets of faith held dear today were born out of hardship and suffering. And today’s pandemic has not been without its lighter moments.

Rabbi David Mason, said he took joy from knowing tech-savvy volunteers were spending hours on the phone helping older community members get online.

“My high point during lockdown was when a 90-year-old lady came onto a Sunday night talk and explained how delighted she was,” the rabbi said. “That’s how communal collaboration works. I watched it work, and it was just wonderful.”
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  • Rabbi Mordechai Chalk takes leads the Friday Pesach service to worshipers from his Watford and District Synagogue online from his home as his Three year old son Tzvi looks on in London, England Friday, June 19, 2020. As most places of worship remain close abiding with government guidelines for social distancing due to coronavirus, religious practices have moved online. Rabbis know how important it is to reach out to their congregants, including the most vulnerable and shielding who cannot attend community prayer. In this time of crisis it is even more important to engage with their congregation. Aside from overcoming the technical difficulties that come with doing solo transmissions, Rabbis and the Jewish community face the challenge of not being able to connect to any electronic devices during Shabbat. Messages are pre recorded or streamed lived before sundown on Friday.(Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Rabbi David Salmon leads his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, back at the Muswell Hill Synagogue in London, England Sunday, July 5, 2020.The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Rabbi David Salmon leads his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, back at the Muswell Hill Synagogue in London, England Sunday, July 5, 2020.The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Rabbi David Salmon leads his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, back at the Muswell Hill Synagogue in London, England Sunday, July 5, 2020.The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Rabbi David Salmon leads his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, back at the Muswell Hill Synagogue in London, England Sunday, July 5, 2020.The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Aagna Patel, 16, Pushpa Patel 68, Hemali Patel 42,  take part virtually in the 50th anniversary of Neasden temple watching messages from  Guru Pujya Swayamprakashdas Swami, as temple leaders speak about the history of how their founding Guru came from Kampala to England at their home in Hemel Hempstead, UK Sunday, June 14, 2020. Neasden temple is conducting various services online for Hindu worshipers through out the week in order to connect with their congregants for prayer. Places of worship remain closed for communal worship due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Hindu devotees offer individual prayers at the Mandir in Neasden Temple, London, England Friday, July 3, 2020. After remaining closed for months due to the Corona Virus outbreak, Neasden temple opened the temple for  Individual worshipers who booked a ten minute slot ahead of time. The trial runs for a couple of hours in the morning and in the afternoon, with teams performing a deep clean in between sessions.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • A cleaning team decontaminate the the area where Hindu devotees offer individual prayers at the Mandir in Neasden Temple, London, England Friday, July 3, 2020. After remaining closed for months due to the Corona Virus outbreak, Neasden temple opened the temple for  Individual worshipers who booked a ten minute slot ahead of time. The trial runs for a couple of hours in the morning and in the afternoon, with teams performing a deep clean in between sessions.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Hindu devotees offer individual prayers at the Mandir in Neasden Temple, London, England Friday, July 3, 2020. After remaining closed for months due to the Corona Virus outbreak, Neasden temple opened the temple for  Individual worshipers who booked a ten minute slot ahead of time. The trial runs for a couple of hours in the morning and in the afternoon, with teams performing a deep clean in between sessions.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • A contactless donation option is offered to  Hindu devotees who offer individual prayers at the Mandir in Neasden Temple, London, England Friday, July 3, 2020. After remaining closed for months due to the Corona Virus outbreak, Neasden temple opened the temple for  Individual worshipers who booked a ten minute slot ahead of time. The trial runs for a couple of hours in the morning and in the afternoon, with teams performing a deep clean in between sessions.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Sunday, June 28, 2020
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  • Monks and nuns take part in the Moon Day puja & precept ceremony which is being streamed live to Buddhist worshipers from Amvrati Buddhist Temple which is currently closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic in Great Gaddesden, England, Sunday, June 28, 2020. Although the UK government has announced that places of worship could open for ‘individual prayer’ from June 15th, under the current guidelines, communal activities are still not permitted. <br />
Due to the communal nature of the monastery and lifestyle, the Amaravati Temple and Grounds will remain closed to visitors at least until the end of July. If circumstances allow, they anticipate being able to welcome visitors for limited hours around the time of the daily meal ceremony, starting in August. A booking system might be in place for people wishing to make a meal offering, in memory of loved ones. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Monks and nuns take part in the Moon Day puja & precept ceremony which is being streamed live to Buddhist worshipers from Amvrati Buddhist Temple which is currently closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic in Great Gaddesden, England, Sunday, June 28, 2020. Although the UK government has announced that places of worship could open for ‘individual prayer’ from June 15th, under the current guidelines, communal activities are still not permitted. <br />
Due to the communal nature of the monastery and lifestyle, the Amaravati Temple and Grounds will remain closed to visitors at least until the end of July. If circumstances allow, they anticipate being able to welcome visitors for limited hours around the time of the daily meal ceremony, starting in August. A booking system might be in place for people wishing to make a meal offering, in memory of loved ones. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • The Shull of Muswell Hill Synagogue sits empty in London, England Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Rabbi David Salmon led his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Imam Ali sits in front of his computer, from where he carried out services for the Cambridge Central Mosque online given the closure of all places of worship due to Coronavirus in Cambridge, England Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as  all religious institutions face similar challenges re opening services to their congregations after lockdown. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Volunteers are briefed on the protocol to be followed to allow worshipers in to Cambridge Central Mosque for communal prayer in Cambridge, England Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as they all religious institutions face similar challenges as they re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Volunteers and staff welcome worshipers following government sanitary and social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, during the first Friday communal prayers since lockdown in Cambridge Central Mosque, Cambridge, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as  all religious institutions face similar challenges  re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER17.JPG
  • Volunteers and staff welcome worshipers following government sanitary and social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, during the first Friday communal prayers since lockdown in Cambridge Central Mosque, Cambridge, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as  all religious institutions face similar challenges  re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER18.JPG
  • Volunteers and staff welcome worshipers following government sanitary and social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, during the first Friday communal prayers since lockdown in Cambridge Central Mosque, Cambridge, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as  all religious institutions face similar challenges  re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER19.JPG
  • Volunteers and staff welcome worshipers following government sanitary and social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, during the first Friday communal prayers since lockdown in Cambridge Central Mosque, Cambridge, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as  all religious institutions face similar challenges  re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER20.JPG
  • The Shull of Muswell Hill Synagogue sits empty in London, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Rabbi David Salmon led his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER21.JPG
  • The Shull of Muswell Hill Synagogue sits empty in London, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Rabbi David Salmon led his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER22.JPG
  • Volunteers and staff welcome worshipers following government sanitary and social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, during the first Friday communal prayers since lockdown in Cambridge Central Mosque, Cambridge, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as  all religious institutions face similar challenges  re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER23.JPG
  • The Shull of Muswell Hill Synagogue sits empty in London, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Rabbi David Salmon led his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
    RELIGION PHOTOSHELTER24.JPG
  • The Shull of Muswell Hill Synagogue sits empty in London, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Rabbi David Salmon led his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • A woker deep cleans Cambridge Central Mosque after the first communal Friday prayer service took place after months of closure due to Coronavirus in Cambridge, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Imam Ali spoke about the importance of interfaith collaboration as  all religious institutions face similar challenges re opening services to their congregations after lockdown. Spaces are laid out taking in to account social distancing and Muslim worshipers are required to come in reduced numbers booking online, wearing masks and carrying their own prayer mat (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • The Shull of Muswell Hill Synagogue sits empty in London, England Friday, July 10, 2020. Rabbi David Salmon led his congregation on the first communal prayer Sunday service, The prayer took place outdside the synagogue observing social distance to in order to comply with government guidelines. Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Rector of St Mary’s Northchurch Anglican Vicar Jonathan Gordon records the Sunday service for parishioners to watch online with the help of his wife Rachel on his iphone as communal service is still unavalible at the church at St. Mary’s Church in Berkhamsted, England. Friday, May 22, 2020. As places of worship remain close for mass due to the coronavirus pandemic, the once communal services have moved online to keep worshipers connected to the church and protect those who are vulnerable and shielding.(Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Members of the public look at giant puppets that are part of St. Albans’s annual pilgrimage, which was canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, The exhibit of the giant puppets is being held in the Nave of St. Albans Cathedral in St. Albans, England Thursday, July 2, 2020.The cathedral, one of the largest in England, opened it’s doors for individual worship as the government has eased the restrictions set on places of worship in the advent of COVID19. Religious institutions are taking measures to follow government guidelines as they slowly re open services to their parish.(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Rector of St Mary’s Northchurch Anglican Vicar Jonathan Gordon greets worshipers who attended their first communal prayer after Sunday service, at St. Mary’s Church in North Church, England Sunday, July 5, 2020.Religious institutions are slowly re opening services to their congregations after lockdown due to the corona virus. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Rector of St Mary’s Northchurch Anglican Vicar Jonathan Gordon prepares for morning prayer alongside assistant Vicar Miranda XXX as the church has opened up for individual prayer, next to a sign that reads Keep Calm and Pray at St. Mary’s Church in Berkhamsted, England. Friday, May 22, 2020. Places of worship are taking steps to carefully open to individual and communal practice across the UK. (Elizabeth Dalziel)
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