Several Durango churches say thanks, but no thanks to increasing their attendance capacity in response to recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and state of Colorado.
Colorado guidelines required houses of worship and other indoor establishments to limit attendance numbers as a way to prevent spread of the coronavirus. But in recent weeks, U.S. Supreme Court decisions have raised questions about whether those limitations can be enforced.
It’s the latest development of a difficult year for Durango church communities.
“Personally, the pandemic has felt like pastoring a ghost church,” said Justin Ross, pastor at Grace Church. “There are many, many people that I haven’t had face-to-face interaction with for over eight months.”
In late November, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that New York’s attendance caps could not be enforced. In response, Colorado dropped its coronavirus capacity limits on houses of worship in early December.
This week, the Supreme Court sided with a Colorado church challenging the limits and sent the case back to lower courts for consideration.
“In regards to the Supreme Court/state decision, we do appreciate the decision, but we are continuing to follow the guidance given by the state of Colorado COVID-19 dial in relation to capacity limits,” Ross said.
Previously, Colorado houses of worship were allowed to operate at up to 50% capacity, or up to 500 people.
For counties under red or purple restrictions, including La Plata County which is under Level Red, capacity at houses of worship was limited to 50 people, or 25% of capacity.
But the state’s changes, announced Dec. 7, classified worship and ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals, as essential.
“This means that they must do their best to follow public health recommendations but may exceed recommended capacity caps if they cannot conduct their essential activity within those restrictions,” the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a news release.
The services must still require masks indoors, social distancing and appropriate sanitation. Outdoor activities are still strongly preferred, the release said.
Through all this, Durango’s church communities have been working through their own challenges, like navigating changing public health orders and reimagining important religious events, like Christmas.
Some have seen members of their congregation die while battling COVID-19.
In Durango, five churches interviewed for this story said they did not plan to increase in-person services before Christmas. Instead, they got creative.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is filming the Eucharist service – which it has never recorded before – and inviting people to come for drive-thru communion on Christmas Day.
Grace Church and First Baptist are holding in-person and online Christmas Eve services, but are not increasing attendance capacity. The River Church is going all online.
Summit Church is lighting its parking lot with luminarias and holding drive-in Christmas Eve services.
“We didn’t do things based on what the Supreme Court said or the government said. We spent some time in prayer and discerned what we felt like God wanted us to do,” Huber said. “We know there will be a time when we will get to gather together again.”
While the churches plan to maintain 25% capacity in December, some said they would consider increasing capacity in January or February.
The River Church plans to open its building Jan. 10 and will most likely increase attendance limit, said Jill Palmer, co-pastor.
First Baptist is still deciding, a complicated process in a community that is divided over how best to hold services during the pandemic.
“First we want to look to scripture that tells us we need to gather,” said Jimmy Thoma, lead pastor. “What we’re doing is weighing what it means to gather, protect the vulnerable but also love our neighbors as ourselves.”
Others, like St. Mark’s, plan to continue holding virtual services for the time being.
“The virus doesn’t care what the Supreme Court says,” said Debbie Shew, rector at St. Mark’s. “This is my personal opinion, but I’m very frustrated with other Christians. I don’t believe at all that my religious rights have been trampled on. I believe everything the Bible teaches me about loving God and loving my neighbor needs to guide the decisions I make about this.”
smullane@durangoherald.com
Christmas services in Durango
Houses of worship throughout Durango and La Plata County are announcing their plans for Christmas services through their websites and public outreach.
Here are more details about Christmas services for the five churches interviewed by
The Durango Herald
.
The River Church
The Christmas Eve service will be online at 4 p.m. Dec. 24.
On Dec. 19 and 24, families can participate in the River of Lights event. Starting at The River Church parking lot, families will see holiday decorations throughout Durango with hot chocolate provided by the church. They can also donate canned goods and coats for a supply drive.
Grace Church
Christmas Eve services will be held in person at 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m. Dec. 24. Registration is required at gracedurango.com. Social distancing, masks, sanitizing and 25% capacity restrictions will be in place.
Summit Church
Christmas Eve services will be available online starting Dec. 21. Drive-in services will take place at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.. Tune in to 89.9 FM to hear the service. Reservations at
summitdurango.org
are encouraged.
Families can also drop off food and clothing donations for Navajo families for the Native Hope supply drive.
First Baptist
Christmas Eve services will be held in person at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The 5 p.m. service will be broadcast online and recorded for later viewing. Social distancing, masks, sanitizing and 25% capacity restrictions will be in place.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
The Christmas service will be held online at 10 a.m. Dec. 25. Members of the congregation can visit the church on Christmas for drive-by communion.
On Christmas Eve, St. Mark’s will release a “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” a virtual mix of Bible readings and music available to watch from home. The Children’s Pageant will take place through Zoom.
smullane@durangoherald.com
