The Presbytery Task Force on Covid-19 has recommended to keep physical distancing in place and not have public worship through the months of August and September.
The following is an excerpt from a letter written by the Bishop of Atlanta, Rob Wright, to the Atlanta diocese of the Episcopal Church. He frames the matter well.
“As we continue to fight on as the followers of Jesus in extraordinary times let me reaffirm a couple of things:
“1. God is still God, Jesus remains Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit is the source of our strength to endure and bear witness in the real world! And, the church cannot and is not closed! As important as our sanctuaries are to us, buildings are not the church!
“2. We believe that God has given us the gift of reason, and science is her first child. Therefore, science is a resource for Christian living. I agree with the medical experts that social distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands frequently and thoroughly will help us defeat COVID-19. In response to the science and in an attempt to fulfill Jesus’ call to radical love and neighborliness, we continue to worship together online until such time that it is reasonably safe to regather in person.
“3. Finally, given the way the COVID-19 numbers are going and the great danger the virus poses, especially to those of us who are in our sixties and beyond, I am asking you to give intention and imagination to what the Fall can look like if we remain online or can only gather outdoors in very small groups for a time.
“ Even with the present limitations this pandemic has forced on us, I rejoice that there are still opportunities for important conversations, Christian formation, learning, generosity, and mission work all around us. You and I focusing and participating in the never-ending mission of Jesus Christ to the world, even now, can give our present inconveniences, annoyances and even afflictions new meaning. For us, the mission to make Christ real in the world gives meaning to all the ups and downs of life.”