Coronavirus in Ballarat: Churches learn from changes as restrictions begin to ease

There will be lessons learned from lockdown that will continue as people return to "normal" - that includes churches and charities, which were closed in March.

While restrictions are beginning to ease - up to 10 people are now allowed inside for religious services and weddings, and up to 20 people for funerals, and those numbers will increase after May 31 - recorded services posted online and new ways of reaching out to people will stay.

The Salvation Army's annual Red Shield Appeal began on Sunday, and this year fundraising has moved entirely online.

READ MORE: Coronavirus in Ballarat: virtual Sunday church services continue amid COVID-19

Father Graham Reynolds, at Sturt Street's St Peter's Anglican Church, said he had begun sending a daily email to parishioners in March to stay connected, supplementing an old-school phone tree.

He and his team decided to begin recording services and sharing them on social media - much easier than livestreaming, he said - while brightening up the church's front door with flowers let people know that while doors were closed, services have not stopped.

"We started before Easter, Palm Sunday we had more than 200 views, and since Easter we're averaging between 100 and 120 views a week, which represents maybe 150 to 200 people looking at it," he said - he said if more than one person in a family was watching each stream, that was about double a normal Sunday congregation.

"We're working hard to stay in touch with everyone - I think we'll find some new learnings on how to maintain contact with people when it's all over."

Delacombe's Salvation Army Major Craig Farrell said as well as online church services, the organisation had held 'virtual dinners' over Zoom.

"The meal attracts a variety of different people from the community, and we didn't want to leave those guys out," he said.

"Usually it's called Dinner is Served, so we've called it Dinner is Streamed."

He said the online interaction was encouraging - it allowed people to share their experiences and stay connected, which is vital for vulnerable community members.

"It's showed that people are experiencing similar things, and people can identify with those similarities," he said.

"It's giving people a lot of hope as well, and assurance that they're not alone."

The crisis had provided an opportunity for the organisation to refocus its priorities as well, Major Farrell added.

"It's helped us to re-evaluate what we're about, and what our direction is meant to be, and that's really been thinking outwardly - so for us, reaching out to the community is really important and this time has emphasised that," he said.

"We're trying to be good neighbours, and do the best we can - we've got an army of volunteers ready to help."

That army would have been out knocking on doors on Sunday, but were kept inside this year.

The Red Shield Appeal keeps any money raised for local projects, Major Farrell added - you can donate online here.

READ MORE: Call for digital support of Ballarat Red Shield Appeal in time of greatest need

"The money raised in Ballarat stays in Ballarat for vital services around providing meals and accommodation for those experiencing family violence, some school lunches, and community development programs for families and children, and the emergency services truck for natural disasters," he said.

"It's really vital work we do in Ballarat, so we're hoping to raise at least $60,000 - we're at $12,000 now, the appeal goes to the end of June."

It's those sorts of small adaptations and changes that draw attention to how different the world will be post-pandemic.

Father Reynolds said it drew attention to the things people take for granted.

"Some of those who watch services on Youtube like to have the order of service in their hands so they can join in a more active way, they don't just want to watch," he said.

"When it's all over, I think we'll have a full-on clergy personal development session on how to capitalise and use social media, it's just opening up all sorts of opportunities.

"I think it's like in war time, or other times of crisis, people look for spiritual nourishment, and they're looking for hope.

"We've got something we can offer them - the interesting thing will be afterwards, how many continue their contact."