Christmas Is Simple And Full Of Family, Pastor Gomar Gultom PGI Asks Christians To Virtual Church

Board of the Federation of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Fellowship of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) appealed to Christians to hold a virtual Christmas mass in 2021 to anticipate the spike in COVID-19.

PGI Chairperson Gomar Gultom said the church strongly supports the government's hard work in dealing with difficult times against the COVID-19 pandemic. He also appealed to churches to participate in anticipating the third wave at Christmas and New Year.

On December 24, 2021, it is estimated by Gomar as a very crucial moment. PGI has sent an appeal letter to each church and requested that church activities be poured out virtually.

"If there is a worship activity on Friday night to welcome Christmas Day, it should be made from the afternoon so that it can be divided into several sessions. We urge churches to be able to anticipate this," he said in an electronic message, Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, December 1.

Pastor Gomar also asked that worship and other activities be focused on virtual/online. Meanwhile, for Christmas worship activities that will be carried out at the church according to the provisions of PPKM Level 3.

The provisions in question include limiting the congregation's quota to between 25 and 30 percent of the total capacity of places of worship while still implementing strict health protocol discipline.

Gomar reminded that Christmas is a family spirit and simplicity. So, celebrating Christmas and welcoming the new year with family in an atmosphere of simplicity is the most important thing during this pandemic.

"Together with the government and the community, we can certainly get through this period. I hope this year there will be no church setting up tents for worship on Friday (Christmas Eve Mass). If possible, stay at home," he explained.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy previously visited PGI to seek advice as policy input during Christmas and New Year.

"Because Christmas is special for Christians, I would like to ask for input in advance so that the annual Christmas service will continue to run solemnly and with quality without compromising its meaning," said Muhadjir.

The government has issued a policy related to the determination of the provisions for the Implementation of Level 3 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) during the Christmas and New Year periods.

"The policy will continue to be reviewed by taking into account the development of the COVID-19 pandemic situation," he said.

Muhadjir said the current situation was not good. Although COVID-19 in the country is still under control, several countries, especially in Europe, are being hit by the third and even fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused the number of positive cases to death to increase significantly.

"For example, in the Netherlands, Germany, or the UK, COVID-19 cases continue to increase every day, including in several eastern European countries. In addition, the emergence of a new variant originating from South Africa, namely B.1.1.529 or Omicron," he said. .