Where to Find ‘Digital Religion’ Around Reston, Herndon

During the COVID-19 outbreak, places of worship around Reston and Herndon are going digital for people who are self-isolating or quarantined.

Many pastors, priests and religious leaders are taking on leadership roles to help guide their following through stress and uncertainty associated with the outbreak.

May you find peace within you. May you be grateful for what is good even in uncertainty. May you be kind to another. May you remember to wash your hands. You are loved. #COVIDー19 #prayer #WednesdayThoughts

— Rev.Debra Haffner (@RevDebra) March 18, 2020

Reverend Debra Haffner is associated with the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston. Her sermons are available for download on the church’s website.

Many religious centers are closed to the public, but a few are still holding events for regular attendees. Here’s what Reston Now has found in the area.

Reston

The Reston Presbyterian Chuch is offering live-streamed services for the congression now that in-person ceremonies have been canceled until further notice. Worshipers can tune into the service at 11 a.m. beginning Sunday (March 22), according to the church’s website. The event will be hosted through Facebook Live.

Oakbrook Church, a non-denominational gathering, is taking several steps to support followers during this time, according to the group’s Facebook page. Today (March 19) at 7 p.m., the congregation will host a Zoom session for people seeking digital companies.

St. John Neumann Catholic Community canceled gatherings of 10 or more people but is keeping its doors open for people who want to pray at least 10 feet apart from one another, according to the church’s website. Congregation leaders are also encouraging followers to watch digital Mass online on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

“The priests at SJN will continue to offer private Masses and remember the intentions of parishioners,” according to the website.

At the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, people can attend live-streamed services beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday.

“We have modified our sanctuary setup, service plan, and camera placement to make our online congregation feel more intimate,” the website said. “Instead of using Mishkan T’filah, which we know many people do not own personal copies of, we have put together our own little siddur to guide us through tonight’s service.”

Tzu Chi of Greater Washington, which is a Buddhist charity foundation, also canceled all its in-person events, the website said, adding that video services will still be available online.

The Reston Islamic Center will remain open for men only, according to its website.

Herndon

Shaolin Temple, a Buddhist place of worship, decided to close its center until further notice, according to the website.

Herndon United Methodist Church is hosting a short Facebook Live session with its main pastor every Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Southview Community Church is doing Facebook Live events throughout the week, according to the web page. Each day, people can follow along with the church’s Facebook for announcements when church leaders will go live.

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