Covid Religious Exemptions, Passports, Reopening

World Church has provided a brief statement to address and clarify the Community of Christ position on religious exemptions from being vaccinated. 

From the First Presidency:
"Community of Christ has no World Conference resolutions, policies or other official statements that would prohibit or restrict church members from receiving vaccines or other inoculations."
 
Pastors and Priesthood are to express the above stated church position when asked to provide an exemption letter to employers, educators, or other organizations. Community of Christ is NOT providing letters to exempt members from being vaccinated for Covid on religious grounds. 
 
World Church and the Mission Centre are also not stipulating that congregations restrict non-vaccinated individuals from gathering as congregations re-open for services. Current government guidelines do not require proof of vaccination for churches. The church continues to encourage all members to follow local health and medical protocols in our collective response to eradicate this virus in our midst. 
 
The importance of sanitization, masking and spatial distancing is an essential practice. In addition, no singing or shared food is permitted as we gather. Communion emblems should be brought from your home or individually prepared and packaged per person by one wearing gloves and mask. Bread and juice should NOT be distributed by Priesthood servers walking amongst congregants. As in online services, the partaking of communion would be simultaneous by all participants following the reading of the prayers. Offerings would be placed in a tray at the door. These measures are important.to follow. Thank you for your faithful compliance. 
 
In the midst of these seemingly strict protocols we are still sacred community. We remain in the presence of our Creator who weeps with us during these unnatural times. Let the Spirit breathe as you gather and be filled with the peace of Christ. 
 
Do not feel pressured to reopen. Choose the time that feels right to your leadership team and congregants in accordance with local health guidelines. Be in touch with one another through familiar channels of phone, texts, emails and congregational newsletters.
 
We all are blessed by the more than a dozen congregations conducting Zoom services and activities in our Mission Centre. We post these each week in our What's Happening newsletter. 
 
I look forward to us all reconnecting together at our upcoming Mission Centre Conference on Oct 23-24.
 
With Meaning,
Kerry Richards
Canada East Mission President