The church building is being cleaned according to the recommendations from the CDC website, the Rev. Wes Duff, senior pastor, told congregants in a letter.
It will not have a meet and greet during the service and will not pass the offering plate, Duff said. Instead, buckets will be placed at the end of aisles for people to leave an offering and connection card information, he said. Greeters and ushers will not be shaking hands or giving out hugs, and coffee will be not be provided but may be brought from home.
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The church, like countless other places of worship locally and nationwide, is asking those who are sick in any way to stay at home. Those who are 60 and older with previous health problems, who may be at higher risk for the virus, also are discouraged from attending services. That includes older adults who have serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and/or lung disease.
In Breiel Blvd. Church of God’s case, the sermon will be posted online immediately after the service, Duff said. Updates will be offered as more information becomes available.
“We have more options if this situation continues to escalate,” he said. “We are praying for our community and want to be light in this world.”
The Catholic Church is telling its members in Ohio to reconsider going to Mass for the next three weeks.
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This comes after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday banned all gatherings of 100 people or more for the time being because of the outbreak.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio, the official representative of the Catholic Church in public matters, released a statement Thursday that even though religious gatherings are excluded from the order, this decision was made for the “common good and the physical as well as spiritual well-being of all the people of Ohio.”
The statement said all Catholics in Ohio are dispensed of their obligation to attend Sunday Mass for the weekends of March 14 and 15, March 21 and 22 and March 28 and 29.
“Out of charity and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we encourage all the faithful, in particular those who are sick, experiencing symptoms of illness, or are at risk of illness seriously to consider refraining from Mass attendance,” the statement said.
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Rabbi Eric Slaton of Hamilton’s Beth Israel Congregation said his synagogue, which has fewer than 100 members, would have services this Shabbat but is “strongly suggesting” that those with any respiratory problems or those who are immunocomprised with any other kind of illnesses and people older than 70 years old not attend.
“We’re fortunate that we have a large sanctuary, so we will make sure that there is at least six feet between worshipers. Those attending services will be required to wash their hands and hand-sanitizer and tissues will be provided. Food will not be provided after services.
The synagogue, which only has two professionals, will remain open for business with each working from separate offices. Classes, which are “very small,” will continue.
He said the synagogue, following this weekend, would decide if it would stream services online. He said the synagogue would attempt to be cautious and take all the necessary precautions without overdoing it.
“People still need spiritual support,” Slaton said. “If people personally want to be more strict about it, that of course is not a bad thing.”
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The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester Twp. announced late Thursday that would cancel both Jummah prayer gatherings on Friday.
“This decision has come about after recommendations set forth by public health officials and infectious disease specialists who have recommended social distancing to stop the spread of the Coronavirus,” ICGC wrote in a letter to congregants. “While Gov. Mike DeWine’s ban of mass gatherings of over 100 people does not apply to religious institutions, we are cognizant that our Jummah congregations far exceed this number, and community health is our priority.”
“We have also taken the counsel of Islamic Scholars who have set forth the Islamic principle that ‘preventing harm takes precedent over the acquisition of benefits.’”
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