As the COVID-19 pandemic forced churches around the world to cease in-person services, many congregations increased their digital footprint. All Saints’ in Lakeland not only launched services online but continues to develop a variety of multimedia programs for all ages.

Tony Comegys, director of communications, brought his background in radio and television to the church when he moved from Chicago to join the staff full time in January 2020. The following months would show it was a strategic and divinely orchestrated move.

“‘Providence’ is a word we use a lot around here,” he said.

Comegys and The Rev. Dr. Larry Reid Hensarling, the congregation’s rector, originally met to devise a five-to-six-year media strategy. Suddenly, everything moved in “fast forward.” What the two were going to plan out for a year became a work in progress, first placing the church’s worship services on livestream, then branching out to additional broadcasts.

Father Reid Hensarling in the church’s studio, recording his lectionary-based series, “The Word of God With Father Reid.” Photo: Tony Comegys

“The pandemic allowed us time to really focus on it,” Comegys said. “We would meet every week for hours and plan strategies. We went right into podcasting, streaming, Zoom meetings. We started upgrading our media, using remote cameras for the Zoom meetings and higher quality microphones.”

A quick look at the church’s highlight reel reveals The Word of God with Father Reid, a series based on the Daily Lectionary and featuring Hensarling; For the Saints featuring Hensarling and The Rev. Kathy Hulin, assistant to the rector; and Sunny, Sunny Lemon Street, a children’s program featuring Hulin. All of these are accessible on the church’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. A podcast, The Power of Prayer, with Hulin and the church’s Order of St. Luke, is also available on podcasting platforms such as Google and Apple.

Comegys said the church has had “tremendous response” to its broadcasts, most notably to The Word of God with Father Reid, which receives up to 1,200 views on a typical week. The program is also set to be featured on the “Unapologetically Episcopalian” Facebook page, which has more than 60,000 followers.

The program For the Saints features both Hensarling and Hulin discussing issues of the day in the light of scripture.

“The idea is for them to touch on what is big in the headlines and these days, generally it’s not good, whether a hurricane that hit the islands, or the pandemic,” Comegys said. “They’ll set the stage, if you will, and then they default halfway through the program to scriptures designed to help folks find some discernment. The two will share those scriptures and end with a prayer that is fitting for the day.”

Setting up for the church’s new children’s series, “Sunny, Sunny Lemon Street” Photo: Tony Comegys

After taping episodes, Sunny, Sunny Lemon Street, the brainchild of Hulin, will launch soon. The priest was inspired after watching A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a docudrama about the life and work of Fred Rogers, children’s television pioneer and Presbyterian minister. The program is a labor of love, involving seamstresses, handymen and others to create a quality show.

With the idea of “normalcy” and regular in-person church attendance within reach, the church isn’t slowing down on its media push. Recently, when Comegys asked Hensarling what the future might bring for the church’s media offerings, the rector indicated things should continue to advance.

“[Hensarling] said we will need it more than ever, because now people know what it is, and they want more of it,” Comegys said.

Hoping to help other congregations reach their audiences, Comegys has an idea for churches to partner together on costs, set building and more to make media production affordable for congregations of any size. For more information, he invites readers to email him at tcomegys@teamallsaints.org.

“I think one of the things we’ve really missed during the shutdown is community, the coming together, and I’d love to get together and strategize with others,” he said.