Dear siblings in Christ, as you may already know, on Friday, November 13, Virginia Governor Northam announced a revision of Executive Order 67 designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. The new order goes into effect at midnight on Sunday, November 15. The revised order limits all in-person gatherings to 25 people and requires all people aged 5 and older to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. You can read the full text of the most recent amendment to Executive Order 67 at: Executive Order Sixth Amended Number 67.
Even though exceptions are allowed for religious services over 25 people under the Governor’s Executive Order, given the rising positivity rate in Virginia and the limits on other gatherings, the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop continues to strongly urge congregations to:
  • Follow the Governor’s Executive order
  • Discontinue any current or future plans for indoor worship. Remaining physically separate is simply the best way to care for one another at this time.
  • Limit outdoor worship gatherings to drive-in services or no more than 25 people in-person
  • Avoid any non-essential in-person gatherings
  • Wear a mask and maintain at least 6 feet of social distance when in-person gatherings are necessary
  • Use digital options for worship, faith formation, and meetings
While the signs are very hopeful that a vaccine will be available in the Spring and Summer, now is the time to redouble our efforts and PLEASE, observe without complaint the Executive Orders from Governor Northam and the guidelines your congregation adopts to keep your community safe. These are stressful days. we encourage you to remember one another in prayer, to care for your siblings in Christ, and to support one another, especially our leaders, in this stressful time.
Additional information on responding to COVID-19 is available at: www.vasynod.org/covid-19.