21 LOCAL CHURCHES WELCOME TO WORSHIP Local churches offer virtual and socially distanced services to encourage student attendance. Local churches had to account for over 4,000 students who came back for the fall 2020 semester. In an effort to engage students safely, churches got creative with their meetings. In addition to live streaming Sunday service, Downtown Church of Christ created a third service at 11:00 a.m. for university students and staff to attend in person. Senior Austin Varner said the seating was arranged to ensure social distancing, masks were required and they were monitored as they left to limit close contact. “I imagine limiting the exposure to the Downtown members who live and work in Searcy year-round benefits the larger Searcy community by limiting mutual contacts if there were to be a campus outbreak of the virus,” Varner said. Varner was thankful for an opportunity to worship in a public setting. “The first service for students on Sunday was the first time I had worshiped in real life since March, and I loved every moment of it,” Varner said. “It was really powerful to be back with so many believers in the same room, and it reminded me to take inventory of all the little things we would miss if they were suddenly gone.” Highway Church of Christ added a second service at 10:30 a.m. in a separate building. They requested that college students and their families attend the new service, while local members were asked to attend the 8 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. services. Senior Matt Hipshire said the congregation abided by Arkansas recommendations to wear masks and practice social distancing. “Highway is doing a great job of making us feel comfortable with our masks on while we worship,” Hipshire said. Fellowship Bible Church retained their three services and asked the congregation to register online before attending a service. They asked the congregation to wear masks, keep socially distant and stay home if sick or in contact with someone who was. Worship and College Pastor Abby Dingus said Fellowship continued Sanctuary, a student-led worship night, and started a new gathering for undergraduate and graduate students called Whole Life Equip on Sunday nights following the same guidelines. “We kept asking ourselves how we could best take care of one another and love our neighbors as ourselves,” Dingus said. “We know not everyone likes wearing masks, but we think it is one of the most loving things we can do during these COVID days.” story by Darcy Sanford The sign outside College Church of Christ reminds attendees to wear a m tried to follow COVID-19 guidelines. | photo by Chantel Ceaser
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