The recent social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we eat, travel and even pray. Bethel AG Church International Worship Centre (BAGCIWC) in Hebbal, North Bangalore has started an innovative drive-in mass for its devotees. This Bangalore church used the interesting approach of a drive-in for its first Sunday Mass since lockdown on June 14. The church conducted this drive-in mass to ensure the safety of its devotees while taking care of social distancing norms. The Protestant Church came up with the concept of ‘Worship on Wheels’ (WOW). People can arrive for Sunday Mass in their cars, scooters or bikes. They can park it in the 3-acre church ground and be part of the service while sitting inside their vehicles.
Bangalore Church Organizes Drive-In Mass Every Sunday
Bangalore’s Bethel AG Church initiative- Worship on Wheels (WOW) aims at “Safe, contactless, drive-in worship”. This allows a large number of people to attend Sunday prayers while following social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. The church ground marked designated spots for cars and bikes on Sunday, June 14. Devotees arrived in their vehicles at the three-acre parking area called the Temple of God ground.
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The church organized six sessions. It kept different time slots for devotees arriving via car, bikes and public transport. People driving their cars attended the services at 9 am and 7 pm. Those on bikes occupied the ground space at 7 am and 5 pm. And devotees arriving through public transport attended the prayer session held inside the church, at 11 am and 1 pm.
Devotees Must Wear Masks, Use Sanitizers And Sit Inside Their Vehicles During The Service
The devotees occupied the designated parking spots, turned their engines off and the Sunday Mass commenced. The pastor stood on the dais leading the service. Multiple large LED screens and speakers, installed outside the church, telecasted the live service for devotees. The church also live-streamed its daily prayers along with the Sunday Mass throughout the lockdown. Devotees who wish to partake in the Holy Communion ( ritual offering of bread and wine) are given hygienic pre-packed packages of the communion elements by the volunteers. Vidyarthi Bhavan in Bangalore installed glass panels to maintain social distancing for its customers.
The church maintained social distancing and ensured the safety of its devotees through various measures. Firstly, all devotees were thermally screened at the main entrance. They compulsorily wore masks and sanitizers before entering. The vehicles were parked in rows facing an open stage. People rolled down their car windows and two-wheeler riders sat or even stood by their vehicles while maintaining physical distance throughout the service. Volunteers also ensured a six-feet was maintained between cars, bikes and individuals during all the three types of services. And devotees weren’t allowed to step out of their vehicles and walk around.
Devotees Arriving By Walking Or By Public Transport Can Sit Inside The Church
Bethel AG Church website states social distancing measures taken by the church to ensure safety of its devotees. The church informs the live streaming of service for those unable to visit the drive-in mass. The guideline states, “There will be no other seating facility other than the church-goers’vehicles itself. Common touchpoints like seating facilities, toilets, canteens and resource centres will also not be available.” Temples in Karnataka also live-streamed their pujas during the lockdown.
Devotees walking or arriving by public transport can sit inside the church during the Sunday Mass. The church website informs “The Church is currently planning six services on Sunday – two each for those attending on bikes and cars at the Temple of God ground and two at the BAGCIWC church building for those using public transport/foot/for those with no vehicles.” When it comes to churches did you know Mount Mary Church in Bandra is known to make your wishes come true?
Rev Johnson States This Drive-In Mass Is One Of The First Of Its Kind In Asia
The church has also directed devotees to bring their own water bottles. They can drop offerings into the buckets at the entrance of the gate or even online. Reverend Johnson V states to TNM that a police force were deployed to maintain the required norms and guidelines of the government. The pastor states “I do not think this has been followed anywhere in Asia. The Bible mentions disciples worshipping, sitting in ships, on carts, and in different atmospheres as they did not have a church.”
Rev Johnson informed TNM “Once the government announced the plan to open the churches and other religious organisations, we were waiting for the proper guidelines from the state government. As soon as we got that, we planned to do this drive-in format in the safest and contactless way to come together as a congregation. It took us over a week to plan and execute the plan.” He added that this drive-in mass will be held for a few more Sundays. Well, this is a lovely way for people to come together in prayers while maintaining social distancing.
To know more about Bethel AG Church click here