In response to the demand to "re-open" churches:

“The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands.” (Acts 17:24)

Christian congregations across the US decided to cease in-person worship... (1/8)

...to keep our parishioners and communities safe. We ground all that we do in the commandment that Jesus gives to love one another as he has loved us. (John 13:34-35). A Christian understanding of community likewise requires that we take seriously public health guidance... (2/8)

...to protect not only our congregations, but the communities in which we live and serve. But it does not require taking undue risks with the safety of our neighbors just to respond to a governmental official. Our faith is small indeed if we see it only expressed... (3/8)

...through worship in buildings. I believe we have become freer to worship in more expansive ways than ever before.

We have never “closed” the church, just the buildings. We are still worshiping, serving, and working to serve our communities in a world... (4/8)

...traumatized by this global pandemic. To demand that churches "re-open" by meeting in buildings ignores the powerful reality of how the church is currently showing up in homes, on screens, and on telephones. The essential work is being done, perhaps now more than ever... (5/8)

I encourage President Trump to work with public health officials, governors and Congress to ensure that our nation can return safely to an environment where the health risks of physical proximity are mitigated: testing, research for treatment and a vaccine... (6/8)

...resources to support those who need jobs, healthcare and housing. That will the best way to support the "essential" work of communities of faith. (end)