Churches have been having to make difficult decisions this year and serving their congregations during the pandemic.

United Methodist Church in Jefferson Pastor Julie Poulsen tells Raccoon Valley Radio they have made several transitions between indoor and outdoor in-person worship services to streaming only online. Currently Pastor Julie says they are only able to stream their services via Facebook Live and she details how they plan to conduct their Christmas Eve services. 

“We’ll have a very music-oriented Christmas Eve service that will be put out so people can watch it at whatever time they want to on Christmas Eve or after. Many thanks to all of our church members who are so musical and they’ve taped their special music or their poem, and we’ll be able to weave that together into a nice Facebook and internet type service.”

Pastor Julie points out this is her 40th year of her ministry and will be retiring from full-time preaching at the end of  June 2021. She talks about how her last year has been filled with challenges for being a pastor and not seeing people.

“I’m a people person and I like to be with groups and individuals. So this has been really very depressing. I think all pastors have had to learn how to do ministry differently. I know I’ve talked to some of the other local pastors and we’ve spent much more time on the phone, or with Zoom (and) talking with people. My faith sustains me and I have my wonderful prayer group I participate in. So we’re holding each other up and God is good at helping us through.”

Pastor Julie adds that they will continue with no in-person worship services at least until mid-January.