Calling around to a variety of local churches this week I found that many had added an additional service to encourage distancing or had changed times from their regular service.
Enon United Methodist Church, 85 Broadway in Enon, will not have an inside service this year. Instead it can be watched online on the Facebook Page or their website at EnonUMC.com at 5 p.m.
On Christmas Eve from 5:30 to 7 p.m. a Drive by Nativity will be outside their church at the corner of Broadway and Harrison in Enon. Cars are encouraged to tune their radio to FM 97.5 for music and scripture readings. Parking in the adjacent lot is allowed.
According to Sharee Niedler, office administration assistant, this is scheduled to take place unless the weather gets really extreme and miserable for the actors. If that happens, the Drive through Nativity will take place on another day. Check the Enon UMC Facebook or webpage before driving there if weather is bad.
Earlier this month West Enon Church of God, 4800 Snider Rd. had a Drive Through Nativity which was well attended. On Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. they will have an indoor socially spaced service that will also be on their Facebook Page.
Pastor Earl Litman said that there would be candles and a live Nativity inside this time.
Knob Prairie United Church of Christ will be celebrating its nearly 170th Christmas Eve in their brick church on 205 East Main St. Enon. The service will be at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall instead of the Sanctuary
According to board member, Elmer Beard, it is easier to space people in the Fellowship Hall and to sanitize between services in the more open space.
Bethel Lutheran near Young’s Dairy on Route 68 will have two indoor Christmas Eve services. Members were asked to let the pastor know if they will be attending the 5 p.m. or the 7 p.m. service so neither will be over crowded. Those attending are asked to wear masks.
Across the Mad River in Bethel Township, Colonial Baptist, 8963 Milton Carlisle Road, will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“We sit in every other row,” said associate pastor Mike Winter who explained that they have pandemic safeguards in place.
Colonialbaptistnewcarlisle.com is where you will find podcasts of services.
Medway Church, 2550 South Dayton Lakeview Drive, is adding more Christmas Eve services. These will begin at 2, 3:30, 5, 6:30, and 8 p.m.
Childrens’ activities for newborns to children in fifth grade will be available during all services. Parents will get a number that they can watch to be posted discretely if the baby needs to see a parent.
“We are highly encouraging the wearing of masks,” said Kristen Frank, who handles communications. “We are following the Governor’s guidelines.”
If the worship center reaches its pandemic capacity, an overflow space will be opened.
“We are not turning anyone away,” said Frank who said that all manner of clothing from T-shirts and jeans to formal Christmas attire is acceptable.
The services will also be found on the church website Medwaychurch.org or on Facebook or YouTube.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Carlisle has added another Christmas service. The children’s service will be at 3:30 in the afternoon. The pastor’s service will be at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Spanish Mass at 7:30 p.m. A special handchimes Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 p.m. instead of Midnight. The 9:30 p.m. service will also be live streamed.
“We are at 50% capacity,” said Christina McGrath, “and there is no overflow area this year.”
“We want to be with people but we can’t because of the pandemic rules so we are trying to work it out,” said McGrath.
That pretty much sums up efforts at all churches this Christmas Eve. They are doing what they can to make a traditional candlelight service happen and still keep everyone healthy.
I was able to call just a few of our local churches and know that there are even more services happening. Please contact the worship center of your choice to get updated information.
I recommend checking the Facebook pages or Websites during the day to make sure nothing has changed from what I’ve written since everyone is trying to be flexible this year.
Over the centuries, churches have faced challenges. This year as in the past Christians are finding ways to celebrate the Lord’s birth in spite of what is going on in the world. Love wins on Christmas.
May you find your perfect place, at home or with others, to celebrate Christmas Eve. I hope your Christmas is meaningful, and peaceful.
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