On Easter Sunday, a group of about 30 gathered in the parking lot of Christ-apiscopal church in St. Helens, Oregon.

The congregation had communion together for the first time in more than a year, worshipping alongside chirping birds and passing traffic.

I came from a calm, but I will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In our church, communion is a really big thing.

Jamie Sanders is the priest at Christ-apiscopal church. From the front steps of the chapel, she handed out the bread and wine in small plastic cups.

Typically, they would all drink from the same cup, which Sanders says she misses.

Everyone is around in one circle, sharing what we believe to be sacramentally and spiritually Christ.

And you don't get that on a Zoom call.

There are a lot of elderly people in the congregation, many are vaccinated or planning to be soon, but until now, they've been playing it extra safe, meeting only on Zoom.

And Sanders says she still agonizes over that decision.

And there's another thing that has made Zoom church uncomfortable for Sanders.

I have a speech impediment, and I'm self-conscious about hearing myself on video or recorded things.

Knowing that the sermon is being streamed can take her out of the moment. It makes it harder for her to feel prayerful as she preaches.

All of which makes meeting in person for communion for the first time in more than a year, especially meaningful, even if it's in a parking lot.

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Thanks for your time.

Hallelujah!

Consider this, the pandemic has changed the way Americans worship. It's also changed the conversation around the Freedom 2 worship.

From NPR, I'm Audie Cornish. It's Monday, April 5th.

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