How are Illinois churches handling Sunday services as coronavirus spreads?
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Keep up with all the coronavirus news in southwestern Illinois
Stay updated with the events in southwestern Illinois that have been canceled or postponed because of coronavirus concerns.
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Churches across Illinois have addressed the need to limit the spread of COVID-19, but many are still holding services for people as long as they aren’t showing symptoms.
People who don’t show symptoms can still be carriers of coronavirus.
The Diocese of Belleville told immunocompromised individuals or people showing symptoms not to attend church or related activities and granted them dispensation. On Friday, the diocese issued a list of health and sanitation measures, but stopped short of canceling services or visits to the elderly.
“All priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers bringing the Eucharist to the elderly, sick or homebound, must be in good health, showing no symptoms of the virus. Be aware that many nursing homes in the Diocese not allowing visitors at this time,” the diocese advised in a letter.
Two women in St. Clair County have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. In a press conference Saturday, St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern urged citizens to take precautions.
“You could be a carrier so do the right thing for your friends, for your family and for your community,” Kern said.
The diocese indicated the situation with church activities could change.
“All decisions regarding the Liturgy and parish activities will continue to be monitored and further information may be forthcoming,” the letter said.
The Diocese of Springfield relieved churchgoers of their obligation to attend Mass. The Archdiocese of St. Louis also offered dispensation.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker canceled all public and private schools in Illinois from March 17-30 and warned against gatherings of 250 or more. As of Saturday, there were 64 confirmed total cases statewide. Each day, the number of new cases confirmed grows.
The Illinois Baptist State Association left the decision on whether to cancel services largely up to individual churches. Those with older congregations may want to close, association staff wrote in a letter Thursday.
They offered three possible “triggers” for deciding to cancel service: “closure of the local school system because of a local outbreak, request from the county health department” or a “confirmed report of a case of coronavirus involving a worship attender who has been present in the past two weeks.”
The United Methodist Church also left it up for each church to decide individually.
Here is a list of church policies for Sunday in the metro-east. If your church is not listed here, consider calling to verify services will be held. Many churches planned to offer online streaming of services.
Belleville
Apostolic Church of Belleville: Regular services scheduled at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Faith Baptist Church of Belleville: Services held online only including Sunday and Wednesday through next week
First United Presbyterian Church: Services held online only
St. Matthew United Methodist Church: Services held online only
Union United Methodist Church: All services and activities canceled for two weeks
Collinsville
First Baptist Church of Collinsville: Services and activities scheduled as normal
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Collinsville Illinois: Services as usual
Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School: Sunday school, post-service fellowship and other activities postponed
Remedy Church: Services as usual
East St. Louis
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church: Services as usual
Edwardsville
Leclaire Christian Church: Online services only
Metro Community Church: Services as usual
Newsong Fellowship: Services as usual
This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 7:44 PM with the headline "How are Illinois churches handling Sunday services as coronavirus spreads?."
