While church community is strong, 'right now we realize how much we've lost'

Martha Soto Galicia talks with the Rev. David DeSalvo during his regular Wednesday office hours at Saint John the Baptist Church in Sanbornville. (Rochester Voice photos)

SANBORNVILLE - Far from feeling disconnected from his flock, one area pastor is saying during this Holy Week that Zoom and other online options for fellowship and prayer are making his congregation feel more connected than ever.

"Well, it's interesting," said the Rev. David DeSalvo of Saint John the Baptist Episcopal Church of Sanbornville. "We've actually had more connections than ever before from Zoom (an online group platform) and Facebook and Facebook Live. This, for me and St. John's, has been a very vibrant time."

The Rev. David DeSalvo of Saint John the Baptist Church of Sanbornville chats with a communicant of the church by Zoom during his Wednesday officer hours.

DeSalvo, who goes by Rev. Dave among parishioners, said more than 100 folks liked his first online Sunday service, which is more than the number of parishioners who show up for services, especially at this time of year when many snowbirds have not yet returned to the Wakefield area where they summer.

He said many of those summer residents have been among those who have joined the church's online services in the past three weeks, some from as far away as Florida, Georgia and Louisiana.

DeSalvo said making connections across multiple online and other platforms has been a challenge but credited church organist Judy Gray and piano player Linda Loucony with keeping all of the congregation in the loop.

"There is a wide range of options for people to connect," he said. "People are calling on the phone, and Judy and Linda are making sure everyone gets a card or an e-card. And some are getting something in the mail."

Asked about some of the parish's older members, he said he was heartened when at his first online service nonagenarian Martha Pike was one of the first who popped up on the screen.

DeSalvo said the church's mission to help those less fortunate has continued as well with a $500 check from the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire going directly to the Wakefield Food Pantry.

And he said generosity at a time like this means more than anything to him.

"I am feeling very optimistic because people are being generous, the diocese, the neighbor across the street," he said. "So many are digging deep and finding ways to protect one another; it's bringing out the best in people."

DeSalvo, who plans Zoom services for Maundy Thursday tonight, Good Friday tomorrow and of course, Easter Sunday, said even though his flock is staying together, everyone's missing the hugs.

"We're missing the physical connection," DeSalvo lamented. "We never realized how important we are to one another, and that's been a great learning experience. Right now we are realizing how much we lost."