Metro Atlanta Churches Are Rethinking How They Hold Service
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, led by Rev. Raphael Warnock, has canceled service and, instead, invited churchgoers “to an online experience,” a statement from the church said.
David Goldman / Associated Press
The coronavirus pandemic has local religious leaders rethinking the way they will hold church services, communion and other related activities.
Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta has canceled service and, instead, invited churchgoers “to an online experience,” a statement from the church said.
“As we celebrate our church’s 134 anniversary, please join us online – instead of in the sanctuary – this Sunday for worship on our website (www.ebenezeratl.org), Facebook or other online platforms,” the Church’s paster Rev. Raphael G. Warnock wrote in the statement.
Rev. John Foster, senior pastor at Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, told WABE they are following guidelines from the AME Church and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Foster said he is encouraging parishioners to use “social distancing” to combat the spread of germs.
“In other words skin-to-skin contact, we are trying to refrain from. So to replace that then we’re going to do elbow bumping and shoulder bumping. We can certainly wave at people, and things of that sort,” he said.
Foster said the church is encouraging members who are ill to watch service online from home.
North Point Community Church in Alpharetta’s website said on-site services are canceled this month.
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