November 17, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference,
As the holy seasons approach and virus fatigue is at an all-time high, we are also experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in our state. I ask you, I beg you to heed the directives of the Pennsylvania Health Department and your city and county health officials.
We must all wear masks indoors and outdoors, and continue vigilant hand-washing and social distancing. Travel should be restricted; and if you do leave the state, you should receive a negative test within 72 hours before your return, as should anyone else who enters the state. Or those who do not get tested should self-quarantine for 14 days. It has been reported that 50 percent of virus transmission comes from people who do not show any symptoms.
Our churches should consider conducting worship using virtual means as much as possible. If you do gather onsite, please limit your attendance, carefully social- distance yourselves, do not sing, keep the services brief, refrain from having fellowship dinners, and use individually wrapped cups and wafers for Communion.
As Dr. Rachel Levine, the state’s Commissioner of Health, said today, “It depends on us.” It is our personal responsibility to protect ourselves and one another from this deadly disease.
We are all praying for the day when we can receive COVID vaccines and see this pandemic become history. That day will come sooner if we stay united and committed in our efforts to stop the spread of this virus.
Thank you for your careful vigilance. I hold you in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Bishop Peggy A. Johnson
