LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan United Methodist Church Bishop David Alan Bard will lead a historic 45-minute virtual Easter Service at 10 a.m. EDT (9 a.m. CDT) Sunday in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, State Safe” executive order during the COVID-19 outbreak.
It’s the first time since the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church was created in 1969 that worshippers have been asked not to gather in person on Easter Sunday. The United Methodist Church ranks as the largest mainline Protestant denomination in the United States with over 12 million members. The Michigan Conference comprises nearly 750 United Methodist churches statewide, representing over 120,000 members and more than 650 clergy members.
“We are at a critical juncture in stemming the reach of coronavirus, and as a church we can play an important role in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 disease,” Bard said. “This is a time like none other we have experienced. I take this disease seriously, and United Methodists are willing to do their part for the health and well-being of our world.”
Worshippers who go Sunday to michiganumc.org/easter-2020 [icm-tracking.meltwater.com] at 10 a.m. EDT will hear a sermon from the bishop, as well as organ and piano music by University United Methodist Church Music Director Connie Gamage with accompaniment featuring Michigan State University student soloists Nora Feldpausch and Matthew Greenberg.
All participants in Sunday’s digital service will adhere to safe social distancing protocols as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prayers and liturgies will be offered by the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Chief Connectional Ministries Officer for the Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church, and Paul Hahm, Senior Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Lansing. A children’s time with the Rev. Kathy Pittenger, Michigan Conference Children’s Ministry Coordinator, is included as part of Sunday’s service.
Whitmer signed an executive order March 13 recommending that people stay home to help mitigate the deadly COVID-19 disease that’s spreading across Michigan and the nation. United Methodist leaders are recommending that local churches refrain from gathering in person for worship at this time, in part because older congregants are in a higher-risk group that health experts say is more vulnerable to developing complications from coronavirus.
“We’re trying to use technology, creativity and innovation to make it as close to being together as possible,” Bard said. “We see this unprecedented moment in Michigan as a real opportunity for United Methodists to share this platform with their family, friends and neighbors and introduce them to a worship experience for those who might be looking to connect with faith at this time without leaving their homes.
”Moving to an online Easter Sunday service is the Methodist Church’s way of putting action behind its prayers for our congregation and all Michiganders to stay healthy,” Bard said.
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