THE effects of social distancing measures and the ongoing coronavirus lockdown is highlighting just how much people yearn for face-to-face contact, said a minister in Alloa.

Rev Sang Y Cha, of St Mungo's Parish Church in Alloa, spoke of the Covid-19 challenges faced by spiritual leaders and congregations locally.

He told the Advertiser he has "never seen something like this before" in his lifetime and highlighted just how much of an "uncharted territory" everyone is in right now.

One of the most important things Rev Cha would usually do as a minister is visit people and talk to folks face-to-face, but that is just simply not possible now, only on the phone.

And as reported last week, many churches in the Stirling Presbytery have taken to Facebook and similar online platforms to live stream services.

However, that will not work for all.

The Rev said: "The difficult things is, the people who need the face-to-face contact, the vulnerable people – usually the pensioners, are the ones who don't have the technology to use Zoom or Facebook.

"They are the ones who are the most vulnerable if you did go visit them and so right now what we are trying to do is: I've arranged volunteers who are fit, asymptomatic, who deliver post, medicine and food for our members and non-members who are requesting it."

But there is no face-to-face contact and no physicality to online services or phone calls.

Rev Cha said: "It shows how inhumane all the technology really is.

"There is something we long for, we physically yearn for face-to-face, human contact.

"Ironically, what is keeping us connected is technology, but it also revealed to us that we need more physical contact and less technology when the time comes."

Like with most churches in the area, the minister has been posting services, prayers and more online, visit stirlingpresbytery.org.uk for all the details.

But it has been a strange experience for all involved.

In a way, as Sang put it, it is like going from a theatre actor on stage with a live audience to appearing on the silver screen in a movie.

"When I am recording, even if I try to imagine the congregation is there, it's not the same as having physical bodies who are laughing when you tell a joke or make a witty remark", he added.

However, he believes the Church of Scotland as a whole "will come out with a better vision and more clear thinking as a result of this".

And added: "When you are hopeless, all you can do really is pray.

"People think prayer is useless, but it's not actually.

"We are so obsessed with living in control of our lives as people.

"This virus has revealed to us how out of control our lives are.

"Right now, for all of us trying to live as Christians, knowing that we are not in control of our destiny, we are learning how to live out of control by trusting god."