World Church Update: COVID-19 and the Church

​World church leaders continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, now officially classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. We want to ensure Community of Christ leaders worldwide are taking measures to keep people safe when the church gathers.
 Protocols for Gathering

• If your local government has given instructions about social gathering or canceling worship, please follow those guidelines.
• If no specific instructions have been given in your community, use available sources to monitor the situation in your area to make appropriate decisions about gathering or canceling where the risk of infection may be high.
  • Congregational leaders should consult with their Mission Center President and Field Apostle in making decisions.

Credible Information SourcesInformation about the COVID-19 pandemic is everywhere. It is important to use official health department sources when making decisions. Several key websites are listed below.

• World Health Organization: Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak
  https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
  https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
• Public Health Agency of Canada
  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
• USA Centers for Disease Control: Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders
  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/index.html
• Other official national health department sources

 
World church leaders will continue to monitor the situation and how it may impact operations in the future. Ongoing updates will continue for Community of Christ staff regarding travel and operations at International Headquarters and historic sites.
 
Leaders are also considering how the outbreak may affect various large events that will occur in the coming months such as camps, reunions, Eurotribe, and Spectacular. Additional information will be shared if cancellation decisions are made.
UPDATEThe Kirtland Temple historic site will be closed for 3 weeks in coordination with local school district closures. The situation will be reevaluated at that time.

This information and further updates will be available at www.CofChrist.org/announcements.