March 28, 2020
Friends,
Bishop Holston is extending the call to suspend all in-person worship until the end of April.
You can read the complete statement here: https://www.umcsc.org/bishop-holston-extends-call-to-suspend-in-person-worship-through-april/
As there have been numerous questions about communion, the statement clarifies that this suspension extends to communion as well.
These are the central portions of Bishop Holston’s statement:
“After consulting with The Cabinet, and in light of the latest information shared by public health officials, I am strongly recommending that leaders of each local church continue to suspend in-person worship services and all gatherings, meetings and events, through April 30, 2020. Recommendations about events planned for May will be communicated in the coming weeks..”
“Because of the theological nature of communion as something that the body of believers does together in the sharing of one loaf, and because of the practical dangers currently involved in close physical contact, it is strongly recommended that we should not take part in communion until it is safe for us to all come together again to worship as one body.”
Please read the entire statement for a full understanding.
Thank you for your creativity, your faithfulness, and your courage – grounded in the Gospel – as you lead your people and your communities through this season of disruption.
Blessings,
Tim
Rev. Timothy J. Rogers
Marion District Superintendent
South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
PO Box 543
Marion, SC 29571
Phone: (843) 423-1202
Fax: (843) 423-6775
