The Coronavirus Economy: A Methodist minister on preaching to the iPhone (and losing the choir)

Like many places of work and worship across America, life changed practically overnight at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. in mid-March.

Make that literally overnight.  On Saturday, March 14, Pastor Sherrie Ilg, was preparing to minister to her congregation just as she had on any other Sunday; the next morning, she found herself giving her first-ever sermon over Facebook Live. In the time since, the church has expanded its virtual offerings and community outreach, as Ilg and her parishioners have worked to adjust to swift, practical, and deeply