By Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, director of Ministry for the Church of the Brethren<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leadership teams of several Church of the Brethren districts have issued recommendations recently regarding congregations gathering in buildings. Districts that have begun sharing guidance include, among others, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, and Southern Ohio and Kentucky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mid-Atlantic District<\/strong> leadership recommended that congregations not gather through June 30, stressing that congregations should \u201cdo no less than follow the reopening guidelines of their particular jurisdiction.\u201d Mid-Atlantic congregations are located in five states and the District of Columbia. Of particular importance to district leadership is caring for the most vulnerable, including the elderly and children. Quoting from Philippians 2:4, the communication stressed looking \u201cnot to your own interest, but to the interests of others.\u201d Specific advice for taking precautions was offered as well as guidance for prayer, keeping connections, and reaching out to their communities. (Find the Mid-Atlantic recommendations at www.madcob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Coronavirus-Announcement.pdf<\/a> .)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, both Middle Pennsylvania and Southern Ohio and Kentucky Districts issued recommendations to their member congregations. Middle Pennsylvania District<\/strong> leadership cited several ecumenical resources in preparing its document, \u201cConsiderations for Re-opening during COVID-19 Pandemic,\u201d released May 8. District executive minister David Banaszak wrote to ministers, \u201cI want to say how proud I am of the job you are all doing in your service to Jesus Christ as well as the care you extend to God\u2019s children near and far. Let\u2019s continue to walk faithfully with our Savior so that no one can accuse us of anything but love for our neighbor.\u201d (Find the Middle Pennsylvania recommendations at https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/midpacob\/news\/decheckinfridaymay82020<\/a> .)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Southern Ohio and Kentucky District<\/strong> board chair, Jennifer Keeney Scarr, and vice-chair, Todd Reish, wrote: \u201cYour District Board urges you, sisters and brothers, to resist the temptation to begin in-person gathering at this time. Out of a deep care for one another we strongly advise our churches to continue to love one another from afar until the Board can re-evaluate the situation at the end of May.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is the full text of the letter that the district board sent to congregations in Southern Ohio and Kentucky District:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n May 13, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sisters and Brothers,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of us hoped for an immediate return to \u201cnormal\u201d following the CoVid-19 pandemic; however, it has become clear that our churches will need to return to in-person gatherings in stages, with care, and not right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your District Board urges you, sisters and brothers, to resist the temptation to begin in-person gatherings at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, use this time to consider and pray over the gathering practices your congregation will implement when we can begin gathering again. Take your time, move with intention and purpose. As people of faith, we are compelled to love our neighbor. In such a time as this, that love has been lived out through physical distancing, wearing masks, hand washing, figuring out online platforms, and more. In the coming weeks as we together consider how to resume gathering in person, what does loving our neighbor look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out of a deep care for one another we strongly advise our churches to continue to love one another from afar until the Board can re-evaluate the situation at the end of May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For your consideration, the following are documents the Board has found helpful in offering this guidance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wisconsin Council of Churches Statement (https:\/\/www.wichurches.org\/2020\/04\/23\/returning-to-church\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n