{"id":20877,"date":"2020-03-13T18:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-14T01:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greaternw.org\/news\/?p=20877"},"modified":"2020-04-08T19:42:45","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T02:42:45","slug":"pastoral-letter-new-coronavirus-guidelines-call-for-suspending-worship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greaternw.org\/news\/pastoral-letter-new-coronavirus-guidelines-call-for-suspending-worship\/","title":{"rendered":"Bishop\u2019s COVID-19 Notice #2, March 13, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear United Methodist Clergy, Members and\nFriends:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO NO HARM.  DO GOOD.  STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD.<\/strong>
\nJohn Wesley\u2019s Three Simple Rules, <\/em>adapted          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO NO\nHARM<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Day by day we are learning more about COVID-19, or the Coronavirus. We know that as many as 14 days may pass between when a person is exposed to the virus, and when symptoms begin. This means that, as in King and Snohomish Counties in Washington State, the virus can go undetected for some time before it is identified. During that time, the person infected with the virus is exposing others to infection without even knowing it. We also know the virus is highly contagious but that cautious measures can slow down the rate of its spread. Slowing the spread flattens the curve of the peak of an epidemic like this.  If there are too many cases needing medical attention at the same time, they can swamp our hospitals and clinics, making it impossible for all the critical COVID-19 cases, as well as other unrelated medical emergencies to receive timely and proper treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consistent with the directives and recommendations issued by Oregon Governor Brown<\/a> and Washington Governor Inslee<\/a> and recognizing that persons over 60 or who have compromising health conditions are advised not to attend gatherings of more than 10 people, I am directing the local churches of any size and other ministries in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington to suspend in-person worship and other gatherings of more than 10 people for the next two weeks, starting today.<\/strong> Your conference leaders and I will assess unfolding events and update this directive as appropriate, but no later than March 24, before Palm Sunday and Holy Week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently asked questions for churches<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some people wonder if this strong action is warranted in Alaska, where the first case was just confirmed and Idaho, where COVID-19 has not been detected yet. I am asking you to adopt this discipline as a courageous act of prevention. It is likely that the virus is present, though undetected, as it has been in so many places. We don\u2019t want to risk anyone contracting or spreading this virus in church!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am also asking conference staff to suspend unnecessary air travel and advising clergy to do the same until further notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO GOOD<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Oregon Health Authority reminds us that \u201cTogether, we can minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our most vulnerable community members\u201d. United Methodists strive to live in ways that promote the well-being of others. In this season of spreading disease, I appeal to \u201cextend hospitality to strangers:\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n