PUBLIC worship may still not be permitted because of the coronavirus restrictions, but churches are continuing to find creative ways to connect their congregations beyond the virtual.
Fr Tim Bartlett, administrator of St Mary's Church in Belfast's Chapel Lane, delivered socially-distanced blessings to homes and parishioners on Sunday - which marked the Feast of Pentecost - while holy water was distributed.
A short distance away, meanwhile, West Kirk Presbyterian Church on the Shankill Road held a drive-in church service.
[ READ MORE: Church of Ireland bishop leads Derry drive-in serviceOpens in new window ]
In another example of creativity, a 'drive-in Mass' was held at Mary, Queen of Peace Church in Glanravel.
Webcams showing the celebration of Mass, YouTube sermons and Zoom prayer meetings have all become part of the regular church experience since the middle of March, when collective worship was stopped as part of sweeping measures introduced to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Numbers attending funerals were also heavily restricted.
In the Republic, churches were allowed to remain open for private, individual prayer, as long as social distancing and hygiene could be maintained.
That facility was extended to Northern Ireland two weeks ago in a move that was especially welcomed by the Catholic Church.
The earliest date anticipated in the Republic's roadmap out of lockdown for reopening places of worship is July 20.
Though undated, the Stormont Executive's coronavirus recovery plan contemplates church services being permitted in step four of its five-step plan; step one has not yet been completed.
Of Ireland's main Churches, the Catholic Church has been the most vocal about its desire for public worship to resume as soon as is safely possible.
Catholic bishops are expected to sign off early this month on a national framework document intended to help parishes prepare for the return of public Mass and to persuade public health authorities that this should happen before July 20.
Possible measures include supermarket-style plastic screens installed in churches to facilitate the distribution of communion, priests may wear transparent visors, singing would not permitted and safety videos shown.
Both the Dublin government and the Stormont Executive have said they will keep all restrictions, including for churches, under constant review.
And in a further indication of how dramatically altered previously routine church events have become, the Presbyterian Church last night installed its new moderator, the Rev Dr David Bruce, in a livestreamed ceremony involving three other people; normally, more than 900 people would have attended.
