In a recent press release, Paducah officials called on everyone within the faith community to provide virtual only services on Easter, as they continue their effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
City of Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless shared her thoughts, encouraging the virtual services.
"With the upcoming Easter Sunday, we know that people want to be together to worship. However, the safest way is by worshiping at home and participating in virtual services," She continued, "I praise our local faith community for being adaptable and using technology to reach their congregations. During this pandemic crisis, I ask them to join us in continuing to make the sacrifices we are all making and to not hold in-person or drive-in services in parking lots or other locations."
Despite this recommendation, one local pastor, Anthony Walton with Christ Temple Apostolic Church, says he still plans to hold a drive-in style service on Easter.
Walton says he held a drive-in style service last Sunday, and he plans to do the same thing this Sunday unless it rains. If it does rain, he will be holding a livestream service instead.
"This is safer than people going to Walmart or any other places people are still going to." Walton said, "As long as they're in their cars, we are still complying with social distancing."
Walton says he knows Harless doesn't mean it the way she said it, but that it seemed like her comment was against the church.
"To me this is less dangerous than going anywhere else. For her to specify drive-in style services just didn't seem fair to me." He said, "We are more compliant than they are in the parking lot of Walmart."
According to Walton, no one will be allowed to leave their vehicles. He says if people come to the service, they will be complying with the guidelines.
On Friday, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron shared his approval of the drive-in style services. You can see his comment below.
"We are aware that some Kentucky jurisdictions are discussing a prohibition of drive-in church services for the upcoming Easter holiday. As long as religious groups and worshippers are complying with current Centers for Disease Control ("CDC") recommendations for social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, we see no problem with these drive-in services occurring.
Religious organizations should not be treated any differently than other entities that are simultaneously conducting drive-through operations, while also abiding by social distancing policies. As long as Kentuckians are permitted to drive through liquor stores, restaurants, and other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the law requires that they must also be allowed to participate in drive-in church services, consistent with existing policies to stop the spread of COVID-19.
We must all continue to work together and do our part to fight back against COVID-19. However, individuals who wish to celebrate religious holidays using a format that follows social distancing policies and CDC guidelines should not be unnecessarily banned from doing so."
You can see our story on Mayor Harless's comments on virtual services at the link below.
On the Net:
City Officials Encourage Virtual Easter Services
