Some of Atlanta’s major Christian denominations have asked worshipers not to attend some services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta on March 13 dispensed all faithful from attending Sunday Mass on the weekends of March 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29. The archdiocese also said people who are ill should not attend Mass.
The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead said it will keep the cathedral closed on Sunday, March 15 and host a livestream video service instead on its website and Facebook page. Childcare and Sunday School are canceled as well.
“Thus, I invite you not to come to church on Sunday,” said Rev. Samuel Candler, the cathedral’s dean, in a written statement. “… We will be at a physical distance from each other, a healthy distance from each other; but we will be close in the Spirit, a healthy closeness to each other!”
The Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 12 indefinitely suspended all worship services worldwide. The denomination has a temple and meeting house in Sandy Springs.