A stained glass window at Queen of Peace Church, Patton, depicts the nativity. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

From shaking hands and giving hugs to elbow bumps and social distancing, COVID-19 has changed daily life for everyone, but the pandemic has been doubly felt by area churchgoers, for whom gathering together, especially at the holidays, is the backbone of their faith.

Pastor Gary Dull said Faith Baptist Church of Altoona has lost a number of members to the virus, but at the same time, the congregation is able to recognize God’s blessings.

“Things have changed, things are different,” Dull said. “But the Lord has given us the ability, and we are still going on praising him, serving him and honoring him.”

Dull said Sunday attendance at the church is 70% to 75% of what it was before the pandemic, noting older members are hesitant to return to public spaces.

As Christmas approaches, Dull said the church would normally schedule 25 to 30 special events during Advent. This year, though, there are probably closer to 15, he said, including the 6 p.m. candlelight Christmas Eve service.

“We are trying to make the ones that we are doing a greater quality, more complete, more effective,” Dull said of the special services.

For Altoona Alliance Church, Pastor Tim McGarvey said the congregation has maintained its regular schedule of activities and ministries this year, after canceling the 2020 and 2021 Wild Game Feast because of restrictions, as well as the 2020 Missions Golf Classic. The church was able to hold the golf event this year, he said, but has canceled monthly UPMC health training events and annual memorial service events for the past two years due to the coronavirus.

Despite the setbacks from COVID-19, both McGarvey and Dull have reported an increase in giving, membership and baptisms.

Altoona Alliance started a Sunday morning Awana ministry for children and has continued community outreach events such as Saturate Altoona.

“We’ve been able to see good spiritual growth in the lives of our congregation,” Dull said, noting the church’s thriving new membership and baptism class, with the largest participation in his nearly 26-year tenure. He also said the Lord has financially blessed the congregation with what he believes to be one of its best financial years.

Instead of passing an offering plate, many churches have stationary locations where congregants can place offerings. In addition, some area churches have turned to Tithe.ly, an app that allows users to give offerings directly, without handling physical money or making out a check.

Not only have some offerings gone remote, so have church services.

McGarvey said he is thankful for congregational members who can stay connected through Facebook, watching livestreams of services when they’re not able to attend church in person. Altoona Alliance keeps a list of older congregation members and routinely checks in to make sure they feel connected, McGarvey said.

Even when the pandemic is no longer a concern, “we plan to continue this online presence,” McGarvey said.

As the pandemic eased and vaccinations became available, many churches moved back to a more traditional service, while remembering that not all members may be comfortable in a crowded setting.

Last year, Hollidaysburg First United Methodist Church gathered outside for a Christmas Eve service, where it was “cold,” said Crissy Edmundson, church secretary.

The service worked, she said, but this year it will be nice to be back inside.

Realizing that concerns over COVID-19 remain high, Edmundson said the church is hosting a special socially distanced Christmas service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. Masks will be required and families will be seated 6 feet apart, she said.

“It’s going to be as safe as it can possibly be,” she said, noting that the church required reservations to make sure it doesn’t become crowded.

“We’ve had a nice turnout,” she said of those signing up.

On Christmas Eve, the church is returning to its regular five services — a

3 p.m. service that includes handbells, a 5 p.m. family-friendly service, a 7 p.m. contemporary service, a 9 p.m. traditional service with the choir and an

11 p.m. traditional service with communion. All services will include Christmas hymns and candle lighting, Edmundson said, and can also be watched on YouTube by visiting the church website at

hollidaysburgumc.org.

In 2020, Altoona Alliance held two Christmas Eve services to help with social distancing. This year, the church has just one service scheduled for 6 p.m. It is also participating in the Salvation Army’s “Super Saturday” collection, Christmas caroling and held an Advent service series that began on

Nov. 28. McGarvey said the church’s youth group will continue its annual “Cookie Dash,” where the youth deliver cookies after the holiday service to businesses that are open on Christmas Eve.

Dull said Faith Baptist participated in the Altoona Christmas parade and is planning to go Christmas caroling, too. It is also reaching out to the community through its food pantry.

“Although we’re restricted, one of the areas that I’m thankful for is that even in the midst of what we’ve had to go through, a lot of people are here at the church and want to reach out to others,” Dull said.

As the faithful are welcomed into churches this holiday season, one big change is the availability of a vaccine against COVID-19, said Tony DeGol, spokesman for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

“The Catholic Church has encouraged everyone to be vaccinated if they are able,” DeGol said. “After individuals started receiving the vaccinations in the spring, we noticed greater attendance at Mass, and it continues to grow. As more people receive vaccinations and booster shots, we expect a very healthy attendance at Christmas Masses this year.”

DeGol said that masks are not required in parish churches, but people are encouraged to wear them out of an abundance of caution, especially those who are unvaccinated.

In addition, although the holiday season is usually filled “with great joy in the coming of Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel, we realize that this is a particularly difficult time for those coping with loss — especially the many families who lost loved ones due to COVID-19,” he said. “There are also many individuals still dealing with the lingering effects of the virus on their health and well-being. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.”

DeGol said he noticed as he visited parishes this Advent season that about a third to half of the people attending were wearing masks and the diocese strongly “encourages the faithful to wear masks at Christmas Masses, especially the Liturgies that typically attract larger crowds, such as the first vigil Mass at each parish on Christmas Eve.”

To continue mitigation efforts, the diocese also urges people to avoid shaking hands or exchanging hugs, “despite the desire to extend warm Christmas greetings to their fellow parishioners during the Sign of Peace or before or after Mass,” DeGol said.

Those who have any symptoms of COVID-19 or other contagious illnesses are also asked not to attend services.

Like many other churches, options are available for those who are unable to attend service in person.

Mass with Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will be broadcast through The Proclaim! TV Ministry live at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve on WWCP TV FOX. It will be rebroadcast on Christmas Day at noon on FOX 8. Also, Midnight Mass with the bishop from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona will air live on the radio on WFBG AM 1290.

“The overall situation is much more encouraging this Christmas versus last Christmas,” DeGol said. “We are aware, however, that the pandemic continues to impact our lives. Using caution and common sense, all are welcome to safely gather in our parish churches to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and pray for our world and peace in the coming year.”

Mirror Staff Writer Holly Claycomb contributed to this story.