During a historic, life-altering pandemic, faith and prayer become a high priority for many people. A March Pew Research survey showed that more than half (55%) of Americans have said they prayed for an end to the coronavirus. Plus, during this time of mandated social distancing, there’s been a large uptick in viewership of religious broadcasts on TV, radio and online channels. In addition, the arrival of important religious holidays taking place in April has also increased traffic.

Holy Week, the time between Palm Sunday and Easter, includes the most important spiritual days on the Christian calendar. Church attendance is usually at its highest; even those who practice sporadically make an effort to attend services on Easter. However, the coronavirus has disrupted this tradition and sent ministries rushing to devise alternative plans to serve their flocks while following states’ stay-at-home rules.

Communion cup (Courtesy of Religion News)

To enhance remote religious services, some churches compiled Palm Sunday kits for parishioners to use at home. For example, a DuBois, PA-based Lutheran church gave out communion kits that had individual containers of communion bread and wine, as well as church bulletins and information on viewing live-stream church services. Another church gave out a kit containing blessed palms, instructions to make a palm cross, a prayer card and a rock for kids to paint. Religion News Service reports sales of prepacked communion cups and wafers has seen a sharp increase.

Seder-to-Go box (Courtesy of Chabad of Knoxville)

Passover, the Jewish celebration of freedom, begins at sunset on April 8. To help the homebound take part in the traditional Passover meal, some organizations are distributing Seder kits. According to Chabad.org, an estimated 250,000 Seder-to-Go kits will be delivered throughout North America. The Jewish Federation of Omaha distributed hundreds of kits that include: a copy of the Haggadah (the text that depicts Jewish people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt), instructions for the Seder dinner, ceremonial candles, a wine glass, matzah and the six components of the Seder plate; the shankbone, green vegetables (karpas), bitter herbs (chazeret), a fruit, nut paste (charoset), lettuce (maror) and egg.

Families quarantining together will look for ways to keep their religious traditions going during this difficult time. Parents with young children would appreciate educational aids to instruct their kids on their beliefs and learn about other religious customs. Distributors whose clients include religious institutions may want to reach out with ideas to help their members feel connected to their places of worship as the pandemic continues. Ideas for promo products religious organizations could give out include information cards with details for remote services and e-giving, holiday recipes, candles, puzzles, candy, prayer books, coloring books and colored pencils.

This seeded paper cross from Okina/Symphony Seed Papers (asi/74930) fits in both with Easter, Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 24.

Inspire users to “plant the seeds of faith” with this seed paper kippah (plantable yarmulke) available from Bloomin’ Promotions (asi/40646)

Faith word search book available from Coloring Book Promotions (asi/45815)

Lenox porcelain Seder plate available from Indigo (asi/62560)

Noah’s Ark coloring book available from BIC Graphic (asi/40480)