Local churches prepare for Christmas services amid pandemic
LYNCHBURG, Va. – It will mainly be a silent night this Christmas Eve, as local churches of different denominations put similar COVID-19 guidelines into place. Churches are relying on live streaming services for this year’s celebrations. Governor Ralph Northam’s curfew is also cutting services at Main Street United Methodist Church in Bedford. Reverend Doctor Dawn Compton says they had to cancel an 11 p.m. service while leaving enough time between other services to clean the church. Reverend doctor Martha Kearse tells 10 News the doors will be locked because they’re prerecording services.
Covington community coming together for prayer and praise event
COVINGTON, Va. – A local community is coming together for prayer and praise this weekend in an event called “We are the Bridge.”The idea came to faith leaders in Covington after seeing videos on Facebook from a similar event in Lynchburg. As 10 News has reported, hundreds showed up at Monument Terrace earlier this week to pray for healing. "We've heard from a lot of people they've wanted to do something, they just didn't know what to do," said Pastor Pam Irvine, event organizer. “We are the Bridge” will take place Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m in Solid Rock Ministries’ parking lot in Covington. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask.
Sandwiched between two nights of violence, hundreds gathered in Lynchburg for prayer vigil
LYNCHBURG, Va. Before Mondays peaceful protests turned chaotic and then violent, hundreds gathered for a prayer vigil in Lynchburg. [More arrests come after protesters shoot at officers Monday night in Lynchburg]It was a moment for healing early Monday evening at Monument Terrace after violence broke out in Lynchburg the night before. Hundreds of people from churches across the Hill City gathered at 6 p.m. on a historic hill -- the terrace steps. The Ramp Church International and Waymaker Church, along with others, felt it was time for the faith-based community to act. Younger, Senior Pastor at Ramp Church International.
As Virginia reopens, some churches choose to wait a little longer
ROANOKE, Va. While much of the state began to reopen Friday, many churches in southwest Virginia choose to wait a little longer. Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg is planning to open on May 24. CommUNITY Church in Salem will open on May 31 with several changes as well. Were going above and beyond, not only in an effort to comply but to make sure that our congregation feels comfortable and safe," Thomas Road Baptist Church Worship Pastor Scott Bullman said. Both said the pandemic has been a learning experience and some of the changes that have been made may be around for good.
Some of Virginia’s Episcopal churches canceling services as coronavirus cases grow
ROANOKE, Va. – Churches that are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia will not be meeting for two weeks. Just yesterday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic. Employers large and small, some in our own Diocese, are directing employees to stay home and telework. Numerous dioceses, including the Dioceses of Virginia and Washington, D.C., have suspended or sharply curtailed church activity. There our 10 churches in our viewing area effected by this decision:
Missouri churches in mostly-black areas hit by arsonist
A reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of a suspected arsonist targeting churches in predominately black neighborhoods in Missouri. Since October 8, six church fires have been set in the St. Louis area, near Ferguson, all within a five-mile radius. Adriana Diaz reports.
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