“As bishop of the Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church, I am extending the suspension of in-person worship in United Methodist Churches and other ministries and the closure of church facilities to all but essential services throughout the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences through June 15, 2020. This early in the phased reopening process, data on the spread of the virus is inconsistent and inconclusive. This date allows two more 14-day periods during which to assess whether COVID-19 cases are declining or increasing. Our churches will be on the leading edge of protecting public health, but not be on the leading edge of reopening at the risk of increasing exposures, infections and deaths…”
https://greaternw.org/bishops-covid-19-notice-6-may-13-2020/
I would encourage you to click on the link above and read Bishop Stanovsky’s entire letter concerning her reasoning and ultimate discernment for the continued practices of social distancing for the safety of United Methodist congregations. I can assure you the decision does not come lightly and is generated from a place of true love for all of God’s people, especially those in most need of our care. We will be discussing how this closure impacts our church locally and what the plans are to proceed into the summer at the Webinar on May 21st. When you register for the webinar there is a space to ask questions and make comments prior to the video-cast. I would ask that you take some time and let us know your thoughts concerning the closures, the impacts it has had on you and your family, and ask the questions most significant to your heart. We will do our best to address those topics in our discussion.