As I mentioned on Sunday, the Mecklenburg County mask mandate now includes churches. Beginning today (September 22), religious gatherings in indoor public spaces are no longer exempt from the Public Health Rule that went into effect three weeks ago. We are now required by the county to require mask wearing (for persons 5 years and older) in our worship services and in other functions in our church facilities. While the requirement allows for different exceptions (note: the link includes the First Amendment exemption language which has now been removed), we are trusting you to take seriously the county’s mandate.
As we all know, many of us have strong opinions both for and against mask wearing. My hope and prayer is that we would not lose sight of the far more important things we have in common in Christ. Let’s keep praying for our doctors and nurses, for the sick and the vulnerable, for those facing possible job loss, and for all of us who are tired and weary of the pandemic and all that it entails. May God give us grace to persevere together.
