In late 2019 St. George Episcopal, The Villages, formed a volunteer Communications Committee. The advent of COVID-19 thrust the committee, which was originally exploring how to revamp the church website, into investigating new ways to keep parishioners in communion during the initial lockdown.

One of the many things the committee did was to explore the feasibility of podcasting. Podcasting, previously known as “audio blogging,” has roots dating back to the 1980s. With the advent of broadband internet access and portable digital audio playback devices such as the iPod, the medium began to take hold in late 2004.

The idea for producing podcasts stemmed from St. George’s ability to record church services and send the rector’s messages of hope to every parishioner three times a week via a platform called Phonevite. The committee saw a need to engage not only parishioners but others whose spiritual life might need a boost. The pandemic has caused havoc in general, but even more so among the senior adult population, specifically St. George, which is located in a retirement community. Even after the church opened for worship, many parishioners remained confined in assisted living facilities and rehab centers.

Despite their own lack of technical skill, committee members saw podcasts as an excellent way to help people grow in Christ and explore Jesus’ message of love and unity in today’s world. This led to the birth of the St. George podcast, “Musings on Faith.”

The church’s first podcast series featured “The Parables of Jesus,” recorded by the priests and deacons over a seven-week time frame. The second series, “Musings From the Pulpit,” shares thought-provoking sermons and homilies to encourage spiritual growth. One of the upcoming podcasts series will highlight information about The Episcopal Church. The church also plans to try a video podcast featuring its stained-glass windows, with music created by Dr. André Lash, organist and music director at St. George.

Currently, St. George’s podcasts are available on seven platforms: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Breaker Pocket Casts, Overcast, RadioPublic and Anchor. Listeners can also access them via the church website, www.stgeorge-episcopal.net.

In addition to podcasting, St. George now has an Instagram account along with its Facebook page and YouTube channel. The Communications Committee finds that using all forms of social media helps keep parishioners connected and reaches out to others who may be looking for a church home or spiritual growth in general.

On Sept. 22, St. George entered a new realm of technology when The Rev. John Kelly, rector, and his wife, Tish, launched a faith-based COVID-19 Zoom support group for those struggling emotionally, mentally and spiritually with the coronavirus (read about the Kellys’ COVID-19 journey on pp. 12-13 here.) The group will run for six weeks and will include presentations followed by discussions. This support group may be repeated depending on demand.

St. George encourages all CFE readers to follow the church on social media and subscribe to its podcasts, designed to encourage believers to muse on their faith while going through what is becoming the “new normal” of life. Follow St. George Episcopal, The Villages, on YouTube, Facebook or Instagram and subscribe to its podcasts on Anchor, Apple, Google, Spotify or another preferred platform.