Coronavirus (COVID-19): Resources & Information
Seattle Presbytery
MARCH 6, 2020: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO SEAPRES CHURCHES REGARDING WORSHIP & GATHERINGS
Pastors and Leaders in Seattle Presbytery,
It is time to cancel regular worship.
Eliana and I, as pastoral leaders in this presbytery lament this conclusion, but believe in our hearts that it's in the best interest of our community, our neighbors, our parishioners, our family, and our friends.
Jeremiah told us to "seek the welfare of the city...and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (29:7) So let us turn our corporate worship into prayers for our community.
To be clear, by canceling worship, we come in line with the latest recommendations of King County Health Department to “cancel large gatherings."
We appreciate all the good work your churches have done to mitigate the spread of this virus, and know that many of you are taking precautions for worship this Sunday.
But if you're asking for our advice, we believe the more prudent path is to cancel worship until further notice. We do not know how long churches should do this, and if pastors and leaders want to pray together or discuss long term decisions, let's figure that out.
Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to help.
As always, you are in our prayers,
In grace and peace,
Seattle Presbytery Churches & New Worshiping Communities
(Links to churches & NWCs who have shared live streaming & other worship information. If you have information to share: send links to SP communications).
Public Health & Government Agencies
King County Public Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) page
Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) page
Public Health Insider (official insights from Public Health - Seattle & King County staff)
Anti-stigma resources (King County Public Health)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Updates
CDC interim guidance for community & faith-based organizations
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
3/18: Pastoral letter from J. Herbert Nelson & Diane Moffett to PC(USA)
3/11 Presbyterian Outlook: PC(USA) stated clerk speaks about in-person worship & the coronavirus
PC(USA) General Counsel Mike Kirk: advice from the Administrative Services Group about the coronavirus.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance releases pandemic preparedness guide
Coronavirus: Faith not fear (PC(U.S.A.)’s Theology and Worship office issues pastoral statement on the coronavirus)