Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Governor gives churches his blessing to open
Virus keeps faithful cautious
Congregations in Northwest Arkansas remained cautious Monday following Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s guidance for how houses of worship could again hold services.
Hutchinson last month recommended clergy suspend live services.
The measures and many others were issued in an attempt to stop the spread of covid-19.
Calls Monday after Hutchinson’s announcement found leaders in meetings to determine their protocols. Many said they will continue digital formats for study and worship that have proven to be popular.
First Presbyterian Church in Springdale will take it slowly, said the Rev. Kade Curry.
“We’ve committed for this church to be more cautious and slower than others might be,” he said.
The church session, the governing body of the congregation, was to meet Monday night to plan for the opening. The church’s first service could be May 31, he said.
“That’s also Pentecost,” he said. “That’s the celebration of the birth of the church. That would be a great symbolic day to reopen.”
Curry noted livestreams of the church’s weekly services have drawn more people than worship services at the church, so those will be continued.
Hutchinson encouraged churches to continue their services online, have worshipers wear masks and take measures to keep the buildings sanitized. Worship leaders and singers may remove their masks during services, he said.
He also advised churches to develop a plan for entrances and exits of the worship halls because people crowd them before and after services. Refreshments and close greetings should remain outside, he said.
Hutchinson emphasized the guidance was just that and not a directive that could be enforced.
The First Amendment calls for separation of church and state, limiting his authority, the governor said.
“But I’m very appreciative because our places of worship have adhered to this,” Hutchinson said. “They’ve followed this guidance. They take it very seriously. They don’t want anybody to get the virus.”
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville put together a committee of members to guide the opening. Their report last week said online worship should continue.
“You’re safer at home,” the report read.
“Our bottom line: We’re not in a rush at all to get back to worship at church, because most important in our minds is to do no harm and to keep people healthy and be good neighbors,” said the Rev. Clint Schnekloth in a Facebook chat.
Cantor Samuel Radwine of Congregation Etz Chaim in Bentonville said the Jewish congregation was undecided about services.
“We’re being very careful,” Radwine said. “We have a small space, and we want people to remain healthy.”
Radwine said the congregation has been together for weekly Shabbat services via Zoom. And the bat mitzvah of one girl was livestreamed for family and friends.
Local members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are saying their customary prayers at home, said Hameed Naseem. Local Muslims tune in to sermons of the Supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Community, the Khalifa of the Promised Messiah, broadcast each week from London.
Naseem is the secretary of Tabligh (outreach) for his Muslim community, which is based in Tulsa, Okla., and the faculty adviser of Al-Islam Students Association at the University of Arkansas.
The pandemic is occurring during Ramadan (April 23 to May 23), the religion’s holiest time of year. Christian churches celebrated one of their most holy days, Easter, from home, as did Jewish congregations for Passover.
“Ramadan is the month when individual night vigils and supererogatory prayers are performed in particular to gain the pleasure and forgiveness of Allah,” Naseem said. “These have intensified, especially because of the strong feeling of helplessness in the face of this pandemic. Even the mightiest have been humbled under the mighty assault of this worldwide pestilence. People are turning to God and concentrating more on prayers, our community included.”
Yet, Muslims are missing the feelings of community and festivity of the season, he said.
Most of the faithful agree. “Oh good,” said Beverly Holt of Springdale when told Hutchinson recommended churches to open. “I’m thrilled. That’s the thing I wanted most.”
Holt is a longtime active member of Cross Church in Springdale.
“I will go back the first week,” she said. But she said she will do it safely with a mask and sanitizer and she won’t shake hands. At 70, she finds herself in the virus’ high risk group.
“I miss the fellowship and getting to see people I don’t see during the week.”
Susan Young of Fayetteville, a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran, also misses fellowship — and hugs.
“There’s no replacement for human contact as fellowship,” Young said. “I can’t imaging going to church and Pass the Peace (greetings) and not hug somebody.”
But Young said she won’t go to church for worship until medical professionals declare it safe.
Young noted Schnekloth’s sermon at Easter, which she watched on her laptop.
“It was about Doubting Thomas,” she said. “And now is the time when all humans … we all have doubts.”