A request concerning churches from Governor Andy Beshear

As the trajectory of COVID-19 cases has risen over the past 14 days, Gov. Andy Beshear has requested that all churches in Kentucky suspend in-person worship services for the next two Sundays — July 26 and Aug. 2. 

This request was presented to the Kentucky Council of Churches during the Governor’s weekly check-in with judicatory leadership of the council on Wednesday.

As Bishop of the Kentucky Annual Conference, I am prayerfully asking each of you to consider honoring the Governor’s request.

Please know that I trust the clergy and lay leadership of our Annual Conference to make wise decisions with the protection of life always at the forefront of your decisions. If you should decide to remain open, please follow the Conference guidelines even more stringently, if possible, than you have.

You can find the guidelines on the Kentucky Conference website at:
https://www.kyumc.org/files/covid+19/covid-19_reentry_taskforce.pdf
https://www.kyumc.org/covid-19-re-entry-plan-phase-i
https://www.kyumc.org/covid-19-re-entry-plan-phase-ii
https://www.kyumc.org/helpful-links
Holy Communion Guidelines
 
Please know you are always in my prayers in this rapidly changing atmosphere. You have throughout this season of challenge and change been faithfully resilient in discovering new ways to present the gospel – whether through online worship, outdoor services, or drive-in services. For that I am grateful and ask that you continue to discover new ways God is calling us to be the church and even though this request comes with short notice, I know we can successfully carry out the Governor’s request.

Gathering for other events
I am urging churches to continue to follow the guidelines set out by the state for weddings and funerals. At present, there has been no new guidance around those activities.

Please remember that we are all in this together and things can change rapidly. However, some things are still consistent: Please avoid large crowds when you can and if you are feeling under the weather, please worship virtually.

As things continue to change, we will continue to give you the most up-to-date information we have and ask you to follow the most recent guidelines we have available.

If there are questions concerning this request or any of the guidelines put forth, please contact the conference re-entry team, re-entry@kyumc.org.

 Bishop Leonard E. Fairley