US Churches Hold In-Person Services on ReOpen Sunday

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – After weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, churches across America were encouraged to hold in-person services again on May 3, Fox News reports. This date was the first Sunday since the US government launched its reopening plan and allowed congregants to attend church in person.

Liberty Counsel, a law firm that defends religious freedom, had previously launched a campaign calling for congregations nationwide to participate in “ReOpen Church Sunday, May 3rd.” Explaining the campaign to Fox News, Liberty Counsel ordained minister and founder Mat Staver said: “It’s beyond time that churches should have some form of in-person services.”

A number of churches did open on Sunday, including in Iowa, where Gov. Kim Reynolds had announced in-person services could begin if appropriate safety measures were observed. In Des Moines, around a dozen congregants arrived at Trinity Baptist Church, where Pastor Peterson instructed them to smile and wave rather than shake hands, the Des Moines Register reports. As of Monday Iowa has 9,169 cases of COVID-19 and 184 deaths.

Sunday was also an opportunity for church-goers in Idaho to attend in-person services. With thousands of members, Real Life Ministries in Post Falls issued congregants with masks and held four services in Post Falls and three in Coeur d’Alene on Sunday. On Sunday Idaho reported 2,061 probable cases of coronavirus and 64 deaths.

While calling for churches to open, Liberty Counsel also issued guidelines on how to do so safely. Nevertheless, not all churches opened on Sunday, as some pastors preferred to wait and continue services on-line.

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