Table 1.

Facing COVID-19: Experience of three faith communities in Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

	Jewish Synagogue	Muslim Mosque	Christian Church
Situation	Two Jewish congregations (a Reform temple and a Chabad House) serve approximately 1000 area residents and visitors.	Four mosques serve a few thousand Muslims. Twice annual Islamic holiday congregational prayers (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha) regularly draw 2500–3000 Rochester area congregants.	91 distinct Christian congregations with weekly attendance of 9000 evangelical Protestants, 8000 Roman Catholics, 7000 Lutherans, and 2000 mainline Protestants.
Advice Process	The Chabad House, synagogue rabbis and lay governing board sought advice from health care professionals and scientists in their congregations. CDC, state governor, health department and religious guidance from national Jewish organizations informed their decision to suspend in-person activities, adhere to social distancing guidelines and promote community health, safety, and spiritual wellbeing.	Lay leaders, imams of area mosques and Muslim health professional organizations reviewed public health guidance and recommendations in addition to religious principles. Health professionals provide ongoing advice on reopening congregational activities in accordance with public health and governmental directives.	A task force of health professionals within the largest evangelical congregation of 6000 was formed to review relevant data and provide recommendations to church staff. Continued guidance is being provided to the church on adaptations and reopening ministries as data and health department and governmental guidance is modified.
Relevant Teachings and Principles	“Pikuach nefesh” - saving a life, means that preservation of human life overrides virtually any other religious rule, with few exceptions. “You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 18:5) Jews should respect and obey authorities unless laws are contrary to the laws of the Torah. Heeding local governments' guidance to saves lives has been a guiding principle behind Jewish organizations' active support for the state-wide response: “Dina demalchuta dina” - “the law of the land is the law” (Bava Kamma 113a, The Talmud).	The guiding principles of Islamic sacred law (shari'ah) are preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage, honor, and wealth. Regarding preservation of life: “… if anyone saved a life, it would be as if they saved the life of all mankind.” (Surah al-Ma'idah 5:32) Prayer (salah) is a pillar of Islamic practice. Congregational Friday prayer (salah al-jumu'a) at the mosque is an important socio-cultural activity and is obligatory for men, though both men and women attend. Muslims are commanded to respect and obey the governmental authority, unless contrary to God's laws. “O you who believe! Fulfill [your] obligations” (Surah al-Ma'idah 5:1)	Principle of ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:39) guides Christians to love by putting the needs of others above their own. Gatherings are important for spiritual growth and worship. “… spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together …” (Hebrews 10:24–25) Christians should respect and obey government authorities unless laws run contrary to God's laws. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established … For the one in authority is God's servant for your good.” (Romans 13:1, 4)
Challenges	In Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, use of electricity, driving, and other forms of work are prohibited on the Sabbath and holidays. As a result, Sabbath and holiday (including Passover) services at the Chabad House could not be digitized. Passover is a major holiday centered around family gatherings (Seders) and congregational activities. Many people travel to be with family. Traditional community Seders were unable to be held. Burial and mourning (shiva) rituals are communal, and new processes had to be created to accommodate social distancing rules.	Friday prayer (salah al-jumu'a) cannot be fulfilled through remote broadcast, leading to a loss of a very important aspect of faith expression and practice. During the month of Ramadan, adherents traditionally gather at mosques after breaking the daily fast (iftar) to observe nightly supererogatory congregational prayers (taraweeh). These activities were suspended. Allowable adaptations to customary Muslim funerary practices (e.g., ritual washing of the deceased, prayers, and funerary procession to burial) were enacted to mitigate risks.	A few Christian leaders nationally challenged the governmental authority to cease church meetings. Easter is a key holiday for Christians, celebrating Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection. Communal celebration of Easter occurred online. Congregants partook of self-provided (non-consecrated) communion elements together virtually on Good Friday. A new, though younger and tech-savvy, senior pastor started the week the stay-at-home order was issued. Leadership transitions and team dynamics were in flux.
Solutions	Chabad House transitioned to weekly pre-Shabbat virtual gatherings and the reform synagogue transitioned to virtual Shabbat worship services. Chabad House delivered “Seder-to-go kits” and hosted a virtual Seder training seminar. Passover Pre-Seder and Seder were done using online audiovisual technology. Rabbis were available for virtual chaplaincy at hospital and virtual presence at funerals and shiva (bereavement) services. Both groups organized shopping for the elderly and high-risk, including purchases of kosher-for-Passover food. Teens and young adults from the synagogue set up virtual connectivity for the elderly. Members of the congregation made masks for each other and the community.	Mosques suspended congregational activities (this was supported by a prior fatwa) [5]. Many mosques used virtual meetings to link imams and leaders with congregants through lectures and to meet the spiritual and mental health needs of the community. Friday special lectures by mosque imams were also made available online. Mosques and Muslim organizations began using virtual means to address the social welfare of this uniquely heterogeneous community. During Ramadan, mosques and Muslim organizations locally and nationwide increasingly published online programs to provide spiritual guidance and education. Several service projects were organized including mask sewing, food collection and distribution, and elder support.	The Task Force advised that church should continue to meet together virtually and encourage each other in loving and caring for others. Church leaders were encouraged to find unique opportunities to develop and maintain ministry despite distancing. All services/ministries transitioned to virtual meetings including livestream worship services with singing led by a small number of well-distanced vocalists, none behind another. Prayer meetings, daily devotionals, youth and Bible study group meetings were held online (using virtual audiovisual technology). Service projects were organized (sewing masks, delivering food, blood donation). Telephone and online audiovisual outreach arranged for the elderly and infirm.