March 16, 2020
Bishop’s Letter Regarding Congregational Gatherings and Covid-19
Dear Synod,
We are dealing with an ever increasing threat to our congregations, our country and world with the moving target that is the Coronavirus pandemic. You are to be thanked for your role in being informed and talking sense to one another about canceling worship services. It has become clear that the time has come to do our part as faithful members of the Body of Christ, to flatten the curve of the spread of COVID-19.
The Center for Disease Control along with our Governor’s office has issued guidelines this past week-end and asked that all gatherings of 50 or more people be canceled or postponed for the next 8 weeks, as a starting point. If gatherings do take place, the organizers must insure that safeguards are in place to protect the vulnerable among us. The most important practices are hand hygiene and social distancing.
I am strongly encouraging all congregations to cease corporate worship for this extended period of time.
I do not have the authority to cancel worship services. The decision must be made by the local pastor and church council. But it is my recommendation. Many of you are talking creatively about ways to pray, worship, do online Bible studies, and care for one another both inside and outside of your congregations. Thank you for this kind of head and heart thinking and serving with sensible social distance.
The spread of COVID-19 changes daily. Information about it changes daily too. I intend to be in regular communication with leaders in our synod who will share ideas, practices and decisions about the days ahead, including our Synod Assembly, slated for May 1-3. Now is a time to find renewed appreciation for what we take for granted in our weekly worship and work cooperatively with others to share live stream, written resources and video sermons.
Keep watching our Northeastern Minnesota FaceBook, our Website and our weekly “onlines.”
In Christ’s peace
Bishop Tom Aitken
