STATEMENT ON CLOSURE OF CHURCHES WITHIN THE BUC
Stoke-On-Trent Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Following discussions by British Union Conference (BUC) field leaders concerning the rapid spread of the Coronavirus and the announcements made by the Irish and British governments (Thursday 12 March and Monday 16 March) advising against ‘social’ gatherings…
The BUC is notifying its membership that all public worship services are suspended within its territory from this Sabbath, 21 March in the interest of safety for all members and the local community.
These measures are unique and difficult to make but as a denomination we have to do our part to prevent the spreading of infection in our various communities and to take responsive and proactive action to ensure the wellbeing of all congregants especially those who are most vulnerable.
With church services being postponed, this will call for creative ways to sustain a worship experience on Sabbath, and this can be done by pastors arranging messages to be shared via livestreaming to their members. The suspension of public worship services is not the closure of the church. We encourage all our churches to be involved in responding to the needs of both their members and neighbours and we show ourselves to be salt and light in our communities.