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Churches cancel their in-person Christmas services due to the increase in COVID-19

2021-12-25T15:44:02.002Z


The National Cathedral in Washington, St. John the Divine in New York, and the Old South Church in Boston are some of the temples that canceled in-person Christmas services.


Amid the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, many churches have canceled their in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors and parishioners who waited all year for these dates.

Other churches planned open-air services or proposed a

hybrid of online and in-person worship,

often imposing strict restrictions on attendees.

Among them, the requirement to wear a mask and present proof of vaccination against the coronavirus.

Among the most prominent churches that canceled some or all of their in-person Christmas services are the Washington National Cathedral, in the nation's capital;

Saint John the Divine, the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York;

and Boston's historic Old South Church.

[From Bethlehem to New York, COVID-19 once again tarnishes Christmas around the world]

The Rev. Nancy Taylor, Senior Minister for Old South, said the church - affiliated with the United Church of Christ - still expected to hold in-person services on Christmas Day Saturday, but was switching its popular Christmas Eve event to an online service.

"The Christmas Eve congregation tends to be larger, with many visitors, some of whom have come to party, and many of whom are not used to the Boston mask mandate," he explained in his announcement.

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“Although we appreciate these guests under normal circumstances,

these are not normal circumstances.

We are prioritizing the health and safety of our volunteers and staff, "he said, adding,

" We know how disappointing this is. "

The leaders of the Washington National Cathedral, which traditionally welcomes more than 15,000 people in its Christmas services, announced that all its services until January 9 would be offered only remotely, without allowing the entrance of worshipers or visitors into the cathedral.

[Guide to celebrate a safe Christmas: ventilated spaces, self-examination and that attendees are vaccinated]

"Unfortunately, as the omicron variant takes hold around the world, our city appears to be leading the nation in infection," said the dean of the cathedral, the Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith.

"Given the spike in infections, I simply cannot justify crowds gathering

as the public health situation worsens around us," he noted.

Another of Washington's major churches, the National City Christian Church, has also canceled its Christmas Eve service and will go on to exclusively celebrate the service online at least until January 16.

The leaders of National City - the national church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - described their decision as one "they desperately" did not want to make, "but we feel we must," they said.

They noted that the mayor of Washington, Murial Bowser, had declared a state of emergency in the District of Columbia.

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In

New York City, which is experiencing a record number of positive COVID-19 cases

, St. John Divine leaders said they were shifting all Christmas services to virtual ceremonies, using their Facebook page and channel. Youtube.

"The time has come, once again, to prioritize the needs and concerns of our community," the cathedral said on its website.

Another historic New York church - the Middle Collegiate - was destroyed by fire in December 2020. After overseeing the rebuilding efforts, the Rev. Jacqui Lewis, the Chief Minister, was eagerly awaiting a Christmas Eve service in person, but it has now been canceled.

The decision "

is one of the hardest I've had to make as a pastor

," Lewis told The Associated Press news agency by email.

“This was going to be the magnificent Christmas service that we had so longed for.

But I love my people too much to risk their lives

.

"

["It will never go away."

COVID-19 continues to delay medical care in hospitals across the country]

"We are going to organize a magnificent celebration online," he

added.

“We will have awesome music and fiery preaching.

But the most important thing is that we will be safe.

And we will be together ”, he sentenced.

Other churches that canceled in-person Christmas services include the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Springfield, Illinois, and the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, which is home to a large predominantly African-American congregation.

Bishop Timothy Clarke, senior pastor of the First Church of God, announced his decision live on the church's website Thursday night.

“Blame me,” he told congregation members who might be disappointed.

"I am the one who will stand before God and render accounts," he said.

Pastor Jacqueline J. Lewis rings the New York Liberty Bell after a construction crew lowered it from the bell tower of Middle Collegiate Church on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in New York's East Village neighborhood. Mary Altaffer / AP

North of New York City, Bedford Presbyterian Church in Westchester County is one of many churches across the country that plan to continue holding Christmas services in person despite the spread of the omicron variant.

The Reverend Carol Howard Merritt - lead pastor - said the decision was made by a group that included parents, a school administrator and a doctor.

[Ómicron is more communicable, but causes a less serious illness that prevents hospitalizations.

The vaccine is essential]

"It became clear that although the omicron variant is highly contagious, infections appear to result in milder cases, especially for those who are vaccinated and boosted," Merritt said via email.

"In response, we decided to hold services in person by making sure to require masks, intersperse seats, limit attendance, and shorten services."

At All Saints' Episcopal Church in New York's Brooklyn borough, the Reverend Steven Paulikas made a similar decision: to go ahead with face-to-face services, but require masks from all attendees.

The Christmas Eve service featured music by the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, conducted by a member of the congregation, Arturo O'Farrill.

"Arturo and I decided this week to go ahead with the orchestra, which is vaccinated and tested regularly," Paulikas said.

"As Arturo said, we have to do what the congregation needs most, and

what we need most now is some beauty and hope," he

concluded.

Source: telemundo

All news articles on 2021-12-25

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