Despite Gov. Andy Beshear’s recommendation to suspend all Kentucky church services — among any other large gatherings — this weekend, many churches in Owensboro are planning to hold their weekend services as scheduled. However, most of these churches said extra precautions will be taken to prevent community spread of the coronavirus.
Officials with Owensboro Christian Church, one of the most heavily populated churches in the area, said their plan to gather for all regularly scheduled church services is exemplary of the message shared at their Sunday service last weekend, which focused on panic during trying times.
“While it is crucial to be informed, sensitive, and wise in the way we approach this outbreak, it is equally crucial that we conduct ourselves in a way that reflects our confidence and trust in a God who offers hope regardless of circumstance,” officials said. “We encourage you to take this as an opportunity to display peace rather than panic, prayer rather than fear.”
Though services will be held, OCC said they will continue to implement the health precautions mentioned during their service last weekend, which include smiling and waving rather than handshaking and hugging, providing additional hand sanitizer stations around campus, stacking bread and juice cups for communion to prevent touching others, and encouraging those who are sick or suffering from compromised immune systems to remain home.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro will allow weekend Mass services to continue as well. Representing dozens of parishes across the county, the diocese said the same precautions will be implemented for every Catholic church in the area.
“The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is at the center of the life of the Church. Perhaps especially in difficult times, liturgical gatherings are a source of comfort and hope for the faithful, as well as an opportunity to offer our prayers to God for those who are suffering or who cannot be with us,” the diocese said.
After discussing concerns about the coronavirus with other bishops in Kentucky and seeking their recommendations, the diocese said Bishop William F. Medley would not be calling for a diocesan-wide cancellation.
However, they said it is important for those who are ill or uneasy about the coronavirus to have the right to exercise individual discretion in light of this situation.
“We want individuals who feel vulnerable, especially senior citizens or those with underlying health conditions, to know that they are not obligated to attend Sunday’s Mass,” the diocese said.
Officials with First Presbyterian said their Disaster Preparedness Team would decide whether or not to hold weekend services Wednesday night. As a large majority of First Presbyterian’s congregation are seniors, the concern of spreading the virus to members is there.
However, the Rev. Christine Coy Fohr said weekend church services are so important to the members because, for many of them, Sundays are the one day of the week they’re able to leave their homes and have social interaction with others.
Legacy Church Pastor Jeff Phillips released a Facebook video Wednesday in the effort to calm the nerves of his church members. Phillips requested that no one shake hands during this weekend’s services, adding that the church was doing its part by disinfecting everything between each service, including microphones.
“We are taking preventative measures and steps for you when you come into the church,” he said. “I want to take the fear out of what’s going on and bring in practical steps so we can continue our day-to-day lives and not be affected by this virus.”
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The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
