Lexington Diocese says mass not required, Southland postpones services due to COVID-19
Gov. Andy Beshear recommended Wednesday morning that churches cancel this weekend’s services, and as the week went on some churches announced plans to follow that advice while others opted to continue as scheduled.
At a Wednesday evening press conference, Beshear said two of three Harrison County residents who have tested positive for novel coronavirus attended church together.
After initially saying they would continue services as scheduled at their four campuses, Southland Christian Church announced Thursday that it would be postponing its services this weekend. Southland is one of the largest churches in Central Kentucky.
In the video announcement on Southland’s website, Jon Weece said the church made the decision after gathering more information from health professionals. Members were encouraged to view services online Sunday instead.
Moving forward, Southland will evaluate conditions on a weekend-by-weekend basis when deciding whether or not to meet.
Episcopal Diocese of Lexington
The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington released a letter from Bishop Mark Van Koevering Thursday saying that he is recommending churches refrain from gathering for the next two weeks.
“Our journey together through the season of Lent gives us a unique lens in which to address this challenge,” Van Koevering said in the letter. “It is a time of self-sacrifice and exploration so that we might open ourselves to God’s presence in our lives in new and wondrous ways. Therefore, I humbly invite you to practice a Lenten fast from public worship, meetings, and social gatherings in our churches for the next two weeks as an act of love toward your neighbor, especially the elderly and vulnerable.“
The bishop also granted dispensation from obligation to attend worship until it can be restored, according to the letter.
While the bishop has recommended not meeting, the diocese also released a set of guidelines for churches that may decide to hold services and gatherings.
Catholic Diocese of Lexington
Lexington Catholic Diocese Bishop John Stowe said Thursday that mass will still be celebrated this weekend but Catholics are not obligated to attend. In the Catholic faith, mass is typically obligatory. Stowe has issued a dispensation for this weekend.
“This decision was not take lightly, as the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of the life of the church,” Stowe said. “And especially at moments of deep concern for the common good, people of faith turn more deeply to prayer and the support that communities of faith provide.”
But Stowe said the risk of spreading the coronavirus at large gatherings including church services is real. Those who have symptoms and people over the age of 60 are encouraged to stay home, he said.
Those who do not want to attend but still want to participate in mass can do so via the Facebook page of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington at 9 a.m. Sunday at www.facebook/ctklexky.
In addition, Catholic churches in the diocese are encouraged to provide opportunities for handwashing at every mass, the statement said.
The diocese has 64 parishes in Central and Eastern Kentucky.
First Presbyterian Church of Lexington
Rev. Mark T. Davis, teaching elder and pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, said after Beshear’s Wednesday morning press conference that the church board agreed to cancel Sunday services and will revisit the issue again on Monday.
“We are canceling all gatherings over 25 people,” Davis said. The church will livestream on its Facebook page a service at 11 a.m. Sunday, he said. It will not be a full service but “an online opportunity for theological reflection,” Davis said.
Centenary United Methodist Church
Centenary United Methodist Church off Tates Creek is planning to continue Sunday services, but is encouraging members to make decisions based on what’s best for them.
“Over the past few days, our staff has been praying, having conversations with the medical community and educating ourselves around COVID-19,” the church said in the announcement. “While there are many different opinions about how to follow current recommendations about public gatherings, we believe coming together as a church community to worship God is fundamental to our Christian faith.”
The church’s “modern worship” will be held at its normal time Sunday, but it will be held in the larger main sanctuary to provide room to spread out, according to the announcement.
The 11 a.m. traditional service will continue as scheduled as well, but adult Sunday school classes are canceled until further notice, the church said.
Childcare and children’s ministry will still be provided during Sunday services.
Porter Memorial Baptist Church
Porter Memorial Baptist Church Pastor Nick Sandefur announced through an open letter on Facebook Wednesday that the church encourages people to stay home Sunday, but no one would be turned away. Instead, the church will broadcast its 10:45 a.m. services online.
“Church is to be a place of comfort and hope, and Porter will continue to be such a place. However, in light of the Governor’s recommendation for churches not to meet, all activities this week, including Sunday services are being adjusted,” Sandefur said in the letter. “We are unsure if this is a necessary action, but as Christians we are to respect our authorities (Romans 13).”
The church also said in the announcement that the plan was developing and that there were already steps being taken to sanitize the building every day.
“We understand the difficult position the Governor is in, and we are trying to do our part to help,” Sandefur said in the letter. “We will continue to follow this recommendation until it causes us to compromise our convictions or harm our faith community.”
LexCity Church
One of Lexington larger churches, LexCity Church, off of Reynolds Road, has also decided to cancel this weekend’s services. Instead, the church encouraged people to worship online at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at lexcity.tv. The service will also be made available afterward at lexcity.tv and lexcity.church.
“This decision was made not with panic but with an abundance of peace and precaution,” said a statement on the LexCity Church web site. “Our hope is to be able to gather together on our church campus in Lexington as soon as possible.”
The Catholic Diocese of Lexington, the Episcopal Diocese, Centenary United Methodist and Immanuel Baptist have already stepped up cleaning and altered some procedures to help keep members safe, church officials said earlier this week.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 7:19 AM.
