Abstract:
In this unprecedented time, there are many questions and plenty of speculation surrounding
what life will be like after the South African nationwide lockdown. There is concern over the
effects that the lockdown will have on worship services when churches are in a position to
open their doors to the public once more. As a result of recognising the lockdown as a liminal
phase, perspectives are shared when considering how the church will gather again in a
post-lockdown context and therefore a post-liminal phase. One prevailing perspective in
considering this post-liminal phase involves koinonia and how an undiscriminating virus can
remind those to further practise inclusivity and ubuntu, by embracing sameness and
difference when ‘being church’. In contrast, another important perspective focuses on
ritualising certain measures in the worship service to prevent the spread of coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19), when gathering in church buildings is permissible in a postlockdown context. This is concluded by echoing the spirit of ubuntu, namely, ‘I am because
we are’, in ‘being church’ during and after the crisis of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
CONTRIBUTION: From the perspective of Liturgical and Ritual Studies, this article aims to
contribute to the Theological perspectives of COVID-19.
