Fresno-area church to hold first in-person service in months — and attendance could be high
The Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church is planning to host its first in-person church meeting in three months, following several churches seeking a return to regular services during the coronavirus pandemic.
The church’s lead pastor, Malcolm Light, said the church is hosting an outside 9 a.m. service to allow for more space. According to state guidelines, churches are required to limit capacity along with other measures to reduce the possibility of infection from the coronavirus.
“If they want to wear a mask, they are more than welcome to. If they don’t want to wear a mask, that is fine. We will have masks here,” Light said.
The church attracted about 700 people during typical gatherings before the pandemic, Light said. State guidelines encourage churches holding services to limit the number of people in attendance.
That includes keeping capacity to 25% of the church membership, or to 100 people, whichever is lower. Light said that number would keep many of his congregants away, but he has other plans.
He said he plans to hold live-streamed church services following the in-person gathering. He has broadcasting services since the coronavirus restrictions began, he said. They are streamed on the church website, www.reedleymbc.org, and on Facebook.
Light said more people might show up than the state allows, but he said having outside service may help keep them safe. He’s anticipating around 300 people.
“We could get surprised and have a heck of a lot more than that,” Light told The Bee on Thursday.
He said there would be no greeting time, and an offering plate will not be passed around. He still plans to hold singing time. The in-person service, however, will be kept to one hour.
Reopening concerns
Fresno County health officials are wary of having churches open so soon, and with so many people at once. The number of coronavirus infections and deaths continue to climb, county health data shows.
Churches have been glued to updates from county health departments, who take orders from the state, as the coronavirus situation continues, however.
Churches in Fresno have pressed to have people attend their services, sometimes going beyond what the state allows.
Calls for reopening places of worship have even come from the president, with Donald Trump saying churches are essential and pressuring governors to reopen them.
Friday was set to be a big day for several institutions that have been shut down by coronavirus health restrictions.
Bars, gyms, the zoo and campgrounds are being allowed to slowly reopen with modifications.
