Bishop Fairley's Response to Governor Beshear's recommendation

Wednesday, March 11, the Honorable Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky, recommended that churches throughout the commonwealth cancel both Wednesday night and Sunday services for at least this week and the upcoming weekend.

In response, the members of the Kentucky Council of Churches, a group encompassing ecumenical partners from many faith traditions throughout the commonwealth, had a conference call with Gov. Beshear to gain more insight into his recommendation.

At present the COVID-19 virus is not as widespread in Kentucky as it is in other places in the United States, but there is always the possibility that the virus can spread rapidly through our communities. Therefore, we applaud the Governor for being proactive with his recommendations and the guidance he has given on his website.

If churches in the Kentucky Annual Conference or the Red Bird Missionary Conference choose to follow the Governor’s recommendations, I stand with you.

Please keep in mind that many of our congregants are in the demographics that are most vulnerable to COVID-19: adults over 60 years old.

If churches do decide to have their regular weekly services, please follow the recommendations that have been put forth by the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for community and faith-based organizations.

We will continue to monitor the CDC and the World Health Organization and will make recommendations about future services as we watch the progression of the virus through our commonwealth.

As the Bishop of the Kentucky Annual Conference and the Red Bird Missionary Conference, out of my love for the people called Methodists in Kentucky, please know that you are in my prayers, and I am confident you will make prayerful decisions for your congregations. I will keep you in my prayers as we move through this evolving situation together.