Churches Are Going Online To Keep The Faithful Connected

From Hawaii-

Jasmine “Jazzy” Bostock began Sunday as she normally would: leading an early morning worship service for parishioners at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, a multi-generational church in downtown Honolulu.

But Sunday was different. Instead of speaking to a sea of faces inside St. Peter’s historic sanctuary, Bostock was inside her home, her laptop perched on her kitchen table as she spoke into the camera and delivered a sermon to members — virtually.

“It was a little bizarre to be setting up for worship in my home and hoping my neighbor’s dog wouldn’t bark as I was video recording,” Bostock, a curate at the church, said with a chuckle. “It’s definitely an adjustment.”

More here-

https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/03/churches-are-going-online-to-keep-the-faithful-connected/

Christian leaders don’t see coronavirus pandemic as God’s way of punishing humankind

From South Carolina-

In the wake of crises, questions often arise in religious circles about God’s role in human suffering.

The coronavirus has been no different, as thousands die and leave behind mourning loved ones.

As communities attempt to decipher whether the coronavirus is God’s way of punishing humankind for the violence, injustices and other wrongdoings that persist in the world, religious leaders caution against drawing correlations between human sin and undesirable conditions. 

For Christians, ideas about God’s role in human pain should attempt to make sense of three truths: God loves humankind, God is all powerful, and evil exists, said R.J. Gore, who serves as Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary.

“Those are the things you have to square,” Gore said. “So many different viewpoints deal with the problem by putting one of the three away.”

More here-

https://www.postandcourier.com/health/covid19/christian-leaders-don-t-see-coronavirus-pandemic-as-god-s/article_16703eda-6de8-11ea-a66c-a31462e1c9ed.html

DC’s first confirmed COVID-19 patient recovering at home

From D.C.-

After being the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the District, Father Tim Cole with Christ Church Georgetown is now out of the hospital after being tested and cleared.

“He spent three whole weeks in the hospital. That was a long ride for him and a long ride for all of us,” said Chad Thorley, Senior Warden of Christ Church Georgetown. “And the recovery has been slow, but he’s definitely on the upswing now, and he’s resting comfortably at home.”

Thorley said Father Tim was discharged from the hospital late Thursday.

“He had some serious issues with his lungs themselves, and that will take some time to repair itself. So now that he’s home, it’s basically just rest and taking it easy, doing some work from the house, but not anything like he would usually be doing if he hadn’t had this happen,” Thorley said.

More here-

https://wtop.com/dc/2020/03/dcs-first-confirmed-covid-19-patient-recovering-at-home/

The Plague Village

From Philip Jenkins-

As Chris Gehrz remarked recently, many Christians right now are avidly looking for texts and stories that illuminate the response to plague and pestilence through the ages. There have been so many blogs and columns on many sites about the Cyprianic plague in the third century, about Luther and Zwingli in the sixteenth, about the influenza crisis of 1918. Here is another story, and, I would say, one of the most powerful. It is very famous indeed in Britain, but as far as I can tell, scarcely known in the US. It’s the story ofEyam, and it makes for good Lenten reading.


Eyam is a village and parish in the outrageously beautiful Peak District of Derbyshire, in the English north Midlands. Although in older times it was described as being remote, it stands only about fifteen miles from the city of Sheffield. Like much of England, in the seventeenth century Eyam was deeply divided between those who supported the established Church of England – the Anglicans – and those Puritans who opposed it, who were Independents or Presbyterians. The established church returned to power in 1660, and in 1662, any minister who would not agree to the new settlement was ejected from his parish living. In Eyam, that meant that Puritan Thomas Stanley was ejected, to be replaced by the Anglican rector, William Mompesson.

More here-

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2020/03/the-plague-village/

National Cathedral canon missioner credits 'blessings and miracles' for discovery of 5,000 respirator masks

From D.C.

Rev. Canon Leonard Hamlin, Sr. on donating stockpiled masks to hospitals in need of medical supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.

Washington National Cathedral canon missioner the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin Sr. joined "Bill Hemmer Reports" Thursday to discuss the recent discovery of 5,000 respirator masks, which have been donated to local hospitals treating coronavirus patients.

Hamlin explained that the masks were originally purchased during the 2006 bird flu pandemic, but were then placed in storage and forgotten about. He credited Joe Alonso, a longtime stonemason of the Episcopal Church, for finding them just as Washington D.C. saw an upswing in confirmed coronavirus cases.

"This is where you are really grateful for institutional knowledge as well as everyone working together," Hamlin said. "When the story came about and the situation of the [coronavirus] crisis began to rise, he [Alonso] remembered the cathedral purchasing masks several years ago. If it was not for his memory..." Hamlin said before trailing off.

More here-

https://www.foxnews.com/media/washington-national-cathedral-coronavirus-masks-medical-supplies

Staying home on Easter is right for God, one another: Bishop Sean Rowe

From Northwest PA-

When I became a bishop in the Episcopal Church, I did not foresee the day when the president of the United States would be urging people to attend Easter services and I would be urging them to stay home. But here we are.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump told Bill Hemmer of Fox News that he hopes to see “packed churches all over the country” on Easter Sunday. I, on the other hand, am instructing my priests and people to celebrate the greatest feast of the Christian year at home because it is essential that we practice social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resurrection of Jesus is, for me, the single most important event in human history. It is the moment at which God demonstrated once and for all that love is stronger than death. I never imagined I would do anything to diminish the joy that Christians take in celebrating this feast together. My heart ached when I informed my diocese that we would not be observing Holy Week and celebrating Easter in our churches. But the decision itself was not a difficult one.

More here-

https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20200327/staying-home-on-easter-is-right-for-god-one-another-bishop-sean-rowe

US Episcopal Church urges support for Palestinian hospitals

From Middle East Monitor-

Members of the US Episcopal Church are urging support for Palestinian hospitals in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, in light of the coronavirus public health emergency.

According to the Episcopal News Service, American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) “has launched an urgent appeal for support to help the leaders and staff at Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City make preparations to serve and care for its neighbours” in the days ahead.

The report noted how “Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on earth”, with life already “precarious and dangerous”, adding that “the presence of the coronavirus in this crowded, impoverished strip of land quickly will become a full-blown crisis”.

More here-

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200327-us-episcopal-church-urges-support-for-palestinian-hospitals/

Churches won't be 'packed' for Easter despite Trump call

From Washington-

Most churches will remain closed on Easter despite President Trump saying Tuesday that he hoped the pandemic would be sufficiently checked by then to have them "packed."

"Wouldn’t it be great to have all the churches full?" Trump said during a Fox News interview. "You'll have packed churches all over our country. I think it'll be a beautiful time."

But after already canceling their in-person services through Easter because of the coronavirus pandemic, many churches are not prepared to risk reopening. Catholic and Episcopal dioceses in every state have canceled. Many megachurches, as well as smaller congregations, have made similar decisions, advising their members to participate in worship through live-streamed services.

In Ohio, Catholic bishops in mid-March worked with Republican Gov. Mike DeWine's administration to cancel all in-person church activities in keeping with the state's ban on gatherings of 100 or more people. On Sunday, the state issued a "stay at home" order through April 6 with an exemption for churches. Even with that order, Catholic churches in Ohio will remain closed through Easter, which is on April 12.

More here-

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/churches-wont-be-packed-for-easter-despite-trump-call

I’m a priest, but I don’t think we should pack the churches on Easter

From Tampa-

President Donald Trump has called for “packed churches … all over our country … on Easter!”

For centuries, Easter has been the culmination of a three-day remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. But this year, Trump is trying to turn it into a political rally. Open up the churches! Pack them with the elderly and the vulnerable! Have generations flee the safety of their homes to gather together to publicly observe this holiday. “It will be beautiful.” Unless, of course, those gathering in large families and/or houses of worship, where we are jammed around dinner tables or church pews, add to the community spread of the coronavirus.

How did we get here? For months we have slowly come to realize that a novel coronavirus (one never seen before) has been silently creeping around the world. It knows no borders or races or creeds -- or political parties. It will strike at will, mostly the old and infirm or those with underlying physical ailments and disabilities. But it will also strike people of all ages, as it does not discriminate.

More here-

https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2020/03/25/im-a-priest-but-i-dont-think-we-should-pack-the-churches-on-easter-column/?clavis&utm_expid=.rZxRlJI0T86fmAabR1Jv8w.1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

How just an hour changed my attitude about ‘virtual church’

From North Carolina-

When the coronavirus stories first started getting notice, I admit that one area I didn’t think about being affected was church. Where could you be more protected than in the Lord’s house?

But as the virus continued to spread across the country, first in Wake County, and then to other counties across N.C., discussions began about “social distancing,” staying at least six feet away from others, and washing your hands frequently and not touching your face. 

The first change that came down from the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina was to change from bread to wafers during communion and to sip from the cup at the altar, not dip the wafer into the cup of wine. For those who were at high risk or felt uncomfortable, they could receive a blessing at the altar. That change felt weird, but was acceptable. Just one week later that changed. Church was to close to all activities. 

No church? Emotionally, I felt a sense of loss and isolation. I depended on church – the fellowship of believers, the joyful music of the choir, the scriptures and sermon to uplift my spirit and set the tone for the following week. We’re in the season of Lent, a time of reflection and sacrifice, but giving up church? Would we all be wandering in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights?

More here-

https://wschronicle.com/2020/03/how-just-an-hour-changed-my-attitude-about-virtual-church/

Washington National Cathedral donates 5,000 masks found in storage to hospitals

From ENS-

A severe shortage of masks and other medical equipment is putting health care workers at risk and limiting their ability to treat COVID-19 patients, and hospitals are hoping donated supplies come in soon. On March 25, two Washington, D.C., hospitals got a donation from an unlikely source: a stash of masks that was recently discovered in the crypt of Washington National Cathedral.

The cathedral has donated the 5,000 respirator masks to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Children’s National Hospital. The masks were purchased after the 2006 avian flu scare, according to the cathedral’s communications staff, “to allow clergy to provide pastoral care without putting their own health at risk” in the event of a future outbreak.

The masks were kept in storage on the cathedral’s crypt level and forgotten about until a stonemason found them during routine maintenance work. Cathedral staff consulted the manufacturer and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and concluded that the masks, which had never been opened, were safe to use.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/03/25/washington-national-cathedral-donates-5000-masks-found-in-storage-to-hospitals/

Virus Apparently Claims Retired Episcopal Priest

From Massachusetts-

Though it could not be confirmed through public health channels, the COVID-19 virus has apparently claimed the life of a retired priest who was affiliated with Christ Church, Harwich Port.

According to the Rev. Brian McGurk, rector at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church of Chatham, the Rev. Dr. Richard Ottaway, an Episcopal priest and college professor, died Sunday night at Cape Cod Hospital as as result of COVID-19. Rev. McGurk said Rev. Ottaway had been a member of St. 

Christopher's but joined Christ Church Episcopal of Harwich Port about 10 years ago as a parishioner who also assisted their rector on a regular basis.

According to McGurk, Rev. Ottaway’s wife confirmed that her husband had tested positive for the virus.

More here-

https://capecodchronicle.com/en/5513/chatham/5657/Virus-Apparently-Claims-Retired-Episcopal-Priest-COVID-19.htm

Episcopal bishop extends service suspension

From Alabama-

Retiring Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Kee Sloan announced on Tuesday that face-to-face services at all Episcopal parishes and worshiping communities within the state will extend the suspension of services through the month of April.

“Obviously, and regrettably, this includes our normal schedules for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. It is inconceivable to me that we would be able to come back together in person by then,” Sloan said in a statement on the diocese’s website.

The announcement comes on the heels of the recent increased number of reported COVID-19 cases within the state. As of Tuesday morning, 215 cases have been reported.

More here-

https://www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20200324/episcopal-bishop-extends-service-suspension

Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming foundation pledges $1 million in COVID-19 relief

From Wyoming-

In an emergency meeting last Thursday, members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming committed $1 million in support of relief for those negatively impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Members acknowledged the situation caused by the growing global pandemic is dynamic, so guidelines for the distribution of the relief dollars are not yet created. However, the board voted unanimously to allocate funding to the resource, citing Jesus’s teaching to “love our neighbors.”

While the virus disrupts weekly worship across the mostly rural state, Wyoming Episcopalians are busy supporting their local community by checking in on vulnerable neighbors, providing food and financial resources to local food banks and other helping agencies, as well as holding virtual prayer services.

More here-

https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/episcopal-diocese-of-wyoming-foundation-pledges-million-in-covid-/article_77654ef8-5367-5162-95b4-e422e3feef90.html

Hopeful Movies for Episcopalians in Self-Quarantine

From The Living Church-


We are all spending more time than usual at home this month. And probably next month, and maybe the month after that. We are certainly spending less time in church, or at least in the beautiful building we love. That, too, may go on for a while.

So I submit to you four classic movies to entertain you and inspire you during this involuntary form of a Lenten fast.

Three of them tell the tale of a minister or priest trying to lead the people through a time of extraordinary crisis. The fourth presents a marriage that is in search of a miracle. All of these films embody a Christian view of faithful persistence under extreme stress. I hope they can lift our spirits just now.

Oh, and each is easily available, either as a mail-order DVD or streamed over the internet.

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/2020/03/19/hopeful-movies-for-episcopalians-in-self-quarantine/

Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops postponed to 2021

From ENS-

The once-a-decade gathering of the bishops of the Anglican Communion, which was to be held in Canterbury, Kent, in July and August this year, has been rescheduled for 2021 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was taken today by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby following consultation with a range of stakeholders, including the trustees of the Lambeth Conference Company, the charitable organization which runs the conference on behalf of the archbishop of Canterbury. In recent weeks the Lambeth Conference organizing teams have been prayerfully thinking through the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the plans and preparations for this important event. Welby has consulted a number of key players, including his fellow primates – the leaders of the 40 autonomous churches of the Anglican Communion.

In a video message, the Welby, said: “The place of a bishop at a time of difficulty is a place of a shepherd when the wolf is attacking the flock. It is to be with them. To be alongside them. To love them. To suffer with them.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/03/23/lambeth-conference-of-anglican-bishops-postponed-to-2021/

Sexual harassment victim wins landmark apology from Anglican Church

From New Zealand-

A parishioner who fought the Anglican Church for 15 years after being sexually harassed by a priest has won a landmark settlement and apology, including an acknowledgment the Church can be held to account for its ministers' behaviour.

Until now, the Church has refused to be held liable for clergy, saying they were not its employees but were essentially employed by God.

However, in a successful settlement negotiated after the woman took her case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal, the Church admitted it was responsible, and will now improve its vetting, training and complaints process.

The Church will also pay the woman $100,000 in recognition of the gravity of humiliation and hurt she suffered, and in recognition of its flawed handling of the complaint.

More here-

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12318835

Valley faithful get creative to worship in post-virus confines

From Texas-


St. John’s Episcopal in McAllen is also planning on relying on a drive-thru concept for worship; they’ll be trying it out for the first time Sunday.

“We’re doing drive-in church,” Rev. Rod Clark said. “You’ll tune your radio station to our low-power FM signal and people will stay in their cars. We’re not able to do communion this way, but we’re able to gather and worship together.”

According to Clark, the challenge of worshipping from your sedan is interaction.

“In our Episcopal tradition, like a lot of liturgical churches, a normal service requires the congregation to participate,” he said. “There’s a back and forth between the person leading worship and the congregation gathered there; the leader says something, the congregation says something. We all do this thing together, it’s all participatory, there’s no passive audience in our tradition, which makes it a challenge to do a drive-in service where everybody’s in their cars.”

To overcome that, St. John’s is trying something Clark calls “auto participatory worship.”

More here-

https://www.themonitor.com/2020/03/22/valley-faithful-get-creative-worship-post-virus-confines/

Online religion grows rapidly in era of 'holy unknowing'

From Pittsburgh-

All this comes with some of the holiest days on the religious calendar approaching. No one knows how long the pandemic will continue, but the Christian Holy Week and Easter are approaching, along with the Jewish Passover and the Muslim Ramadan. The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has already suspended worship through Easter.

“We have to do ministry in this holy unknowing,” said the Rev. Eric McIntosh of St. James Episcopal Church in Penn Hills. His message to the faithful: “We belong to God, not the virus.”

But how to act on that belonging?

“At this juncture, keeping folks alive is the most important thing, not congregating on Sunday morning,” Rev. Mcintosh said.

But “the Body of Christ,” a common term for the Christian faith, “is not a particular Sunday morning gathering,” Rev. McIntosh said. “It’s the Body of Christ going out into the world. It’s just that going out into the world is online.”

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/03/21/Online-religion-suddenly-the-norm-in-era-of-holy-unknowing-coronavirus-cover-19/stories/202003210009

Sanctuaries close doors and go online amid crisis Read more: San Diego Community News Group - Sanctuaries close doors and go online amid crisis

From San Diego-

In the US, hundreds of people in Washington D.C. were exposed to Coronavirus when an Episcopal priest gave out communion before testing positive to the virus. The first confirmed cases of Coronavirus in a few cities have been Episcopal priests, including D.C. Chattanooga, Tennessee and Fort Worth, Texas after the denomination held The Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes annual conference in February.

In his message on Sunday over livestream, Jeff Martinhauk, Priest at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, explained that throughout the week the cathedral staff had made the radical change of not offering eucharist without knowing a few days later they would do the unthinkable of closing their doors. By the time the County banned gatherings of 250 people, they had decided they could not risk becoming another story of a faith community spreading the virus exponentially.

“Closing down churches, from the perspective of in-person gathering, is a way to love your neighbor. I sincerely understand that for many people, the experience of church is about connection. And there's a fear that, especially in the context of many people socially isolating, that they might need that connection more than ever. But I think that's actually where we need boldfaced leadership to step in and say, ‘No, this is the right thing to do. This is a Christian thing,’” said Colon.

Read more: San Diego Community News Group - Sanctuaries close doors and go online amid crisis

Coronavirus shutdowns place financial strain on churches

From D.C.-

Churches are bracing for a financial hit, as coronavirus shutdowns disrupt their operations. 

As nonprofit organizations, many churches rely on the donations of their members (often collected during services) to finance their existence. In the Catholic Church, this is generally a time of the year when dioceses ask their members to donate to annual bishops’ Lenten appeals, which fund diocesan operations. In recent years, many appeals have already seen downturns in giving because of sexual abuse scandals within the church. This year, however, for many dioceses, the onset of coronavirus-related shutdowns is upending usual giving patterns.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington on Thursday announced that it is facing “enormous challenges as material and financial resources decline sharply while our regular donors grapple with the effects of this public health crisis” and issued an “urgent” plea for donations. A spokesperson for the diocese told the Washington Examiner that it is focusing on finding ways to provide “spiritual and pastoral support” to needy people during the crisis.

More here-

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/coronavirus-shutdowns-place-financial-strain-on-churches

Clergy Relay How Their Congregations Are Processing Life Under Coronavirus

From NPR-

When word came on Monday of the latest White House guidance - no gatherings of more than 10 people - that ruled out, among other things, church, synagogue, Friday prayers at mosques. This week marks the first that many services of all faiths are being canceled or shifting online. And this at the very moment when so many of us say we are in need of comfort and ritual and spiritual guidance. 

Well, to speak to that, we've invited three guests to join us. In Detroit, Imam Dawud Walid, welcome.
DAWUD WALID: Thank you very much.

KELLY: In Denver, we're joined by Episcopal Bishop Dan Edwards. Welcome, Bishop Edwards.
And from Los Angeles, Rabbi Susan Goldberg. Hi there. Welcome.

SUSAN GOLDBERG: Thank you.

More here-

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/819186556

Episcopal churches make changes due to COVID-19

From Springfield-

Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Springfield have canceled all events due to coronavirus concerns.

In a letter to church members, Bishop Daniel Hayden Martins said the “ground is relentlessly shifting under our feet” during the current COVId-19 concerns. In response, he said, the diocese will follow guidelines set out by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and local public health officials.

“The nearly impossible task that has fallen to me, then, is to try and navigate the nexus between public health policy, where my opinion carries no more weight than yours, and liturgy, sacramental theology, church governance, where my authority is quite broad,” he said.

More here-

https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Episcopal-churches-make-changes-due-to-COVID-19-15146863.php

OK Episcopal bishop learns he does not have COVID-19

From Oklahoma-

Oklahoma's top Episcopalian leader has learned he does not have COVID-19.

Friday, the Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczny, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, said his test for the coronavirus came back negative.

The bishop shared the news with Oklahoma Episcopalians in an email Friday morning.

"I am delighted to say that I am currently negative for the virus," Konieczny said.

"Many of you have sent emails, texts and cards expressing your thoughts and prayers. We have been overwhelmed by the sense of your presence surrounding us as we awaited these results. Thank you for your love and concern!"

The bishop said local health authorities administered the coronavirus test on Monday. He had initially expected the results by Tuesday afternoon but was informed that it would take longer. Konieczny said he and has wife had been on self-quarantine since he first began exhibiting symptoms.

More here-

https://oklahoman.com/article/5658177/ok-episcopal-bishop-learns-he-does-not-have-covid

Anglican bishop asks Lagos diocese to comply with directives on COVID-19

 From Nigeria-

The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev (Dr) Humphrey Olumakaiye has directed all Anglican parishes in the diocese of Lagos to comply with the directives of the Lagos State Government to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the state.

Olumakaiye who gave this charge in a press release signed by the Synod Secretary, Venerable Segun Ladeinde, said that sequel to the directives of the Lagos State Government banning all religious meetings and gatherings of more than 50 worshippers as part of the precautionary steps towards managing the further spread of the coronavirus, all diocesan programmes that attract a crowd of more than 50 people have been postponed until further notice.

His words: “Sequel to the directives of the Lagos State Government banning all religious meetings and gatherings of more than 50 worshippers, as part of the precautionary steps towards managing further spread of the corona virus disease (COVID-19), all vicars are directed to ensure strict compliance to these directives in line with the position of the church as a law-abiding entity.

More here-

https://tribuneonlineng.com/anglican-bishop-asks-lagos-diocese-to-comply-with-directives-on-covid-19/

Anglican Church suspends services, ‘will go online’

From Barbados-

The Anglican Church has suspended services for the next two weeks, Bishop of Barbados the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell announced today.

n a release, Bishop Maxwell declared: “In our Government’s effort to minimise the rate of transmission of COVID-19, we have been requested to limit our social interaction and to ensure that any gathering of persons should not exceed 100 people.

“As a result, the Anglican Church recognises that it cannot be “business as usual” and therefore we need to change our modus operandi.”

No regular Sunday church services, namely Matins, Holy Eucharist and Evensong are to be held until Sunday April 5, for the time being, he said.

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/03/20/anglican-church-suspends-services-will-go-online/

COVID-19: Singapore Anglican Diocese suspends services at all 27 parishes

From Singapore-

The 27 parishes of the Anglican Church in Singapore on Thursday (Mar 19) suspended all worship services and gatherings until Apr 3, said the Anglican Diocese of Singapore.

"The Diocesan leadership has closely monitored the escalating COVID-19 situation and makes this contribution towards the concerted national effort to ‘flatten the coronavirus curve’," it said in a press release.

The suspension of services comes after a member of St Andrew's Cathedral was confirmed on Wednesday to have contracted the coronavirus.

The church member, who had been in the UK, attended a service last Sunday but had no symptoms of illness and passed precautionary screening, said the cathedral.

More here-

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/anglican-church-suspend-services-singapore-covid-19-12559060

Churches, synagogues tell congregants to stay away

From Pittsburgh-

Similarly, Dorsey McConnell, the Episcopal Bishop of Pittsburgh, has asked clergy and congregations to stop all in-person activities through Easter. McConnell is asking clergy to stream services online and, according to the diocese, more than a quarter of Episcopal congregations in the region have already done so, with St. David’s Episcopal Church in Peters Township and St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Canonsburg among them.
 
McConnell said, “I wish to emphasize this point: Our churches are not closing. We are continuing to do what we have always done. We are simply adapting the means by which we do these things to the needs of the present crisis.”

The “difficult decision” to cancel services this Sunday at Claysville United Methodist Church was arrived at Wednesday night, according to Rico Vespa, the church’s pastor.

“It’s an elderly congregation, and we don’t think it’s wise to expose anyone at this point,” he said. “The sad part is many people feel that church is a place you can go when there are troubles.”

More here-

https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/churches-synagogues-tell-congregants-to-stay-away/article_5ebce22c-6a07-11ea-9f81-dbae497d2a02.html

Christ Church Cathedral only Anglican church to remain open on Vancouver Island

From Vancouver-

Victoria’s Christ Church Cathedral is the last Anglican church to remain open on Vancouver Island, following an announcement made by the Anglican Diocese of B.C. Monday that said all its other churches in the CRD would be closed for 60 days.

While the historic cathedral will remain open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the church’s services have been cancelled and new protocols have been put in place.

The cathedral adds that it will abide by the provincial health authority’s ban on public gatherings larger than 50 people, and will limit the number of people inside the church at one time.

More here-

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/christ-church-cathedral-only-anglican-church-to-remain-open-on-vancouver-island-1.4858514

From Bishop McConnell: Our Updated Coronavirus Response Will Continue Through Holy Week and Easter

From Pittsburgh-

It is with a heavy heart that I am asking the clergy and congregations of this diocese to suspend public worship through Holy Week and Easter Sunday, as a necessary precaution toward mitigating the effects of the coronavirus in our communities. This is consistent with the prudent advice given by our Presiding Bishop in his March 17 letter, and any extension beyond April 12 will be based on my consultation with other Pennsylvania bishops and the directives of our public health officials.

During this time, I am also asking the clergy to continue, if feasible, the celebration of Sunday Eucharist or Morning Prayer in their parishes, and with no more than three other selected individuals in attendance. I hope these can be live-streamed whenever possible. I will preside at the small assembly at Saint Barnabas on March 22 and at Saint Stephen’s, Wilkinsburg, on March 29, joining them in prayer for their congregations and neighborhoods, as well as for all of you.

More here-

https://www.episcopalpgh.org/coronavirus-update-from-bishop-mcconnell/