Responding to COVID-19

Dear Presbytery family, December 21, 2020

You may have heard that there have been changes in Los Angeles County’s health orders for churches.

Though the County is painfully aware of the tragic impacts of COVID-19—including, among other things, all County hospitals together have only 0.5% available capacity in their ICU departments—the County is reluctantly complying with recent Supreme Court decisions regarding the separation of church and state.

Though they seriously recommend that churches continue to worship on-line or outdoors, they announced that if a church adheres to restrictions, worship can be held indoors. The restrictions have been posted, and the allowance does not take effect until the church commits to complying with the new restrictions.

As a Presbyterian church, we honor human life and consider all places to be sacred. We celebrate the Holy Spirit acting in all the ways we worship—online, outdoors, and on the phone as well as indoors. We also acknowledge the realities of science and our commitment to the safety of our neighbors.

Therefore, we exercise our freedom with responsibility, and understand that even if the secular law says we can do something does not mean we must.

In our polity, it would be for the Session to decide how the church should conduct worship. The Session also must discern the safety, unity, and legal risks taken as a church, employer, and in some cases as a property owner. Legal guidelines will be posted at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/—please look for the protocol for “Places of Worship” and also information for employers.

Therefore, the Presbytery Executive Commission urges our churches to continue worshiping virtually or outdoors until the current extreme danger of this surge has passed. We hope to have more definitive guidelines at our January Presbytery  meeting, but in the meantime we cannot support worship indoors, for the sake of our members and friends.

If the Session does consider indoor worship, we advise that you first consult your insurance company, and ensure you adhere to guidelines not only for places of worship but also as employers. There are specific requirements of any employer, for the safety of your employees. Finally, please consult the Presbytery staff if you are considering indoor worship.

As we give thanks that God would honor human life by becoming human in Jesus, let us do likewise and utilize the tools that God has provided to worship in safety. If your church chooses otherwise, please remember that the Presbytery website, www.sangabpres.org, has a directory of our churches who are holding meaningful and faithful worship online, and you can praise God with them.

Giving thanks to God for this holy season, and for you.

Rev. Wendy Tajima
Executive Presbyter

The California Regional Stay Home Order (PDF) went into effect at midnight last night.  Over the last six days, the County of Los Angeles is averaging 8,295 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases.  Between November 13- December 6, 2020, hospitalizations of confirmed COVID-19 patients have increased by 140% to 2,855.  In addition, the adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed capacity for the Region is now below 15%, at just 10.6%, which triggered the initiation of the State’s Regional Stay At Home Order.

The order will remain in effect for at least 3 weeks. After that period, it will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed on a weekly basis after the initial 3- week period.

Everyone in Los Angeles County should remain at their homes and with members of their household as much as possible. Even if you don’t feel sick, being around people outside your household is extremely risky. Avoid doing any activities that are not essential. Always wear a face covering whenever outside your home, keep your distance from others not in your household, wash your hands frequently, and avoid crowds. Individuals with underlying health conditions and those that are older should remain in their home and not be around others unless seeking routine or essential health care. Please contact your health care provider to schedule essential care, as these services remain open and can be utilized safely. If you are having difficulty breathing, go to an emergency room or call 911.

Even though worship services can continue be held outdoors, due to the increased risk of transmission even outside, and the cold weather, we continue to recommend that churches worship so that members can participate from their homes.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It has spread from the first cases identified in China to many other countries including the United States. The number of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County continues to rise, including many cases due to community transmission of COVID-19. With the rise in cases has come a rise in serious illness among county residents and of deaths due to COVID-19.

The following guidance for faith-based organizations may help to prevent exposure to COVID-19 and thus help reduce its spread. It is of utmost importance that we avert a peak in serious illness that would strain hospital capacity. Your assistance in that effort is critical.