How to reach people who can't come to you

People using technology to keep in touch during ‘shelter-in-place’

Gordon Woods
Posted 3/29/20

With a statewide shelter-in-place order significantly reducing traffic, conducting business and other activities currently is more difficult. But people are using technology to bridge the gap.

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How to reach people who can't come to you

People using technology to keep in touch during ‘shelter-in-place’

Posted

CLINTON — With a statewide shelter-in-place order significantly reducing traffic, conducting business and other activities currently is more difficult.  But people are using technology to bridge the gap.

Since Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week enacted the shelter-in-place order to limit the spread of the coronavirus, vehicular and people traffic have dropped.  Restaurants already were operating on a pick-up basis only for the time being under an earlier order that closed bars and eating establishment to walk-in customers.

Businesses classified as essential continue to operate, but most have instituted practices to limit person-to-person contact.

Other services, such as Vespasian Warner Public Library, have pulled out the technology stops to stay connected with their patrons.  Churches, too, have gone into live and video production on a small scale to communicate with their congregations.

Warner Library staff already used video and live streaming on their Facebook page as part of their regular updates and programs for the public.  But, since temporarily closing its doors to patrons, the library is exploiting the positive attributes of Facebook by offering a schedule of video and live streaming events.

“Songs with Wendy,” “Virtual Toddler Time and “Storytime with Paula (Lopatic)” are helping to keep kids occupied.  There’s also ‘Virtual Breakfast with an Otter,” and library executive director Bobbi Perryman hosted a library history chat, showing off some of the library’s historical artifacts.

Churches, too, marshalled their Internet reserves to reach its members.

Many have started using Facebook Live for their Sunday services and other activities, instructing members when to go online to watch and listen.

Assembly of God, Clinton Church of God, Clinton United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, First Church of the Nazarene and Wapella Christian Church are among the churches live streaming their services on Facebook, and St. Patrick Catholic Church, Wapella, is streaming Mass.

See list at the end of this story

Some churches, are posting videos of sermons, while other are streaming services and Bible studies.

Kenney Christian Church began this past weekend using telephone conference calls to get their Sunday message to church members.

Some local governmental bodies, such as the Clintonia Township board, also have decided to employ the tried and true technology by inviting the public to call in to listen to its upcoming meeting.

Assembly of God

On Facebook, YouTube and the church’s Web site.

Clinton Church 

of Christ

The church has suspended it services until further notice. Church members are encouraged to pursue worship and study at home and regularly check the church’s Facebook page.

Clinton Church 

of God

Online services and Bible study are currently under way for the church on its Facebook page.  Online tithing also is available.

Clinton 

Presbyterian Chuch

Virtual worship via Facebook

Clinton United 

Methodist Church

The church will use live streaming on Mar. 29

First Baptist Church

Facebook Live will use to broadcast services.

First Christian Church

Facebook Live

First Church 

of the Nazarene

Facebook Live streaming.  

Kenney 

Christian Church

Services via conference call

Lane Christian Church

Video services on YouTube, Facebook COVID devotionals.

Lifebridges Church

Facebook Live

St. John 

the Baptist 

Catholic Church

All Masses and all fish fry and other events are canceled until further notice.

St. Patrick 

Catholic Church

Facebook Live

Texas Christian Church

Video sermons posted on Facebook

Wapella 

Christian Church

Facebook Live

Waynesville United Methodist Church

Facebook Live