Beginning tomorrow (Friday), church services in Iowa will be allowed to resume across the state. However, a group of more than 20 church representatives from many of Iowa’s Christian denominations issued a joint statement earlier this week recommending their congregations continue to participate in religious gatherings through online means for the time being. They wrote, “In the spirit of ecumenism, we join together in asking congregations and members across the state to take faithful action by refraining from in-person religious gatherings, including worship. We encourage and hope that congregations will worship and gather in community from afar continuing the use of technology and other means. Decisions to return to in-person gatherings in our congregations should be based on science, the best practices recommended by public health officials, and in consultation with the leaders of our faith communities.” General Presbyter of the North Central Iowa Presbytery, Rev. Ian McMullen, recommends Presbyterian churches remain closed until May 30 or until there is a 14-day decrease in new cases, whichever is later. He says “Just because we as a church can legally meet inside a church building doesn’t mean we should meet in groups of any size.” For congregations that insist on meeting in-person, he strongly recommends extensive disinfection and physical distancing efforts, no contact with shared surfaces, such as communion or offering plates, and to be prepared to close buildings quickly if cases rise. The full Interfaith Alliance letter can be found included below.
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