Unitarian Universalist Church in California Adopts Remote Worship During Pandemic

The Universalist Unitarian Tapestry Church in Lake Forest, California, has not held in-person services since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The congregation, which meets in a building purchased over two years ago, has adapted by transitioning to virtual worship. Reverend Kent Doss, the church’s minister, leads services from his office, using a Zoom link to connect with his congregation.

The church’s main hall, once filled with members singing and participating in rituals, remains empty. A padded blanket covers the piano where music director Melissa Sky-Eagle typically directs worship. Members carry labels with their names at the entrance, a nod to the congregation’s commitment to inclusivity and community. The sounds of a Christian church band echo outside, a contrast to the quiet inside.

Reverend Doss, 42, described the shift as a natural progression rather than a hardship. He explained that while the building was purchased for worship, it has been used for only half the time since its acquisition. During services, members light candles at home instead of gathering to light a chalice, a traditional Unitarian Universalist practice. Musicians and singers perform pre-recorded, synchronized hymns, including a bilingual version of “This Little Light of Mine.”

Doss’s sermons draw from a wide range of spiritual traditions, quoting figures such as St. John of the Cross and the Hindu mystic Mirabai. He emphasized the manifestations of love, a core value of Unitarian Universalism. “Every Sunday I am amazed by what you have gathered,” he told the congregation. “They feel this community distancing in body, but close in spirit.”

Despite the physical separation, the virtual service remains a meaningful experience for many. After the sermon, members gather in randomly assigned Zoom break rooms to connect. The online format has allowed the congregation to maintain a sense of community and spiritual connection, even as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

The Tapestry Church’s experience reflects a broader trend among Unitarian Universalist congregations, which have embraced technology to sustain worship and community engagement. As the pandemic continues to shape religious practices, the church’s commitment to inclusivity and spiritual connection remains central to its mission.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)