Decorah churches will continue to meet digitally this weekend

Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, Congregationalists and Covenant church members have been known to have their differences in the past.  But when it comes to return to in-person services at their buildings, local worshipers seem to be of the same mind--it isn't worth the risk.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation Monday permitting spiritual and religious gatherings to resume in 77 of Iowa's 99 counties, with certain qualifications.  But in Decorah church services held by all five denominations will spend this weekend worshiping through Facebook LIVE or with posted videos.

At St. Benedict's Catholic Church, staffers have posted a message from
Catholic Bishops of Iowa: "Without an effective vaccine or widespread testing and contact data that justifies a change in course, we simply are not at a place where we can resume our previous prayer practices."

The same decision was made at Decorah Covenant Church, where church council and staff "have agreed that it is in the best interest of our congregation and community not to resume in person Sunday morning worship at this time."

Decorah Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church will continue virutal worship services until further notice.

The strongest statement came from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which noted, "The governor has lifted restrictions on spiritual and religious gatherings as long as the church, synagogue or other host implements social distancing guidelines and increased sanitary cleaning. However, the count of confirmed cases in Winneshiek County doubled over the weekend. The Good Shepherd Congregation Council determined at our April 21st meeting that we would remain closed through May and will determine on a month by month basis when we will return to worship."

This week, when Governor Reynolds was asked whether she would attend church services this weekend, she replied that her church was continuing to hold online-only services.