Around New England

Dedham Church To Hold Micro-Audience Public Services Sunday, May 10

May 4, 2020

Victory Baptist Church in Dedham has announced on its Twitter account that plans to conduct public church services next weekend.

The caveat:  the church requires people to sign up for services so that each gathering can be kept at 10 people or fewer.

According to the church’s web site, there will be a 10:30 a.m. service and a 12:30 p.m. service Sunday, May 10.

Church gatherings exceeding 10 people are currently not allowed in Massachusetts. On March 23 Governor Charlie Baker issued an executive order limiting most public gatherings to 10 people, including what the order calls “faith-based” events. The order is designed to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Adams Square Baptist Church in Worcester is the only church in the state publicly known to have held an in-person service exceeding 10 people — on Sunday, April 26 and Sunday, May 3. The church took extraordinary steps to prevent the spread of the virus during its services, including social distancing and making everyone wear masks and gloves.

But the city of Worcester issued Pastor Kris Casey a $300 fine for violating the governor’s order.


Read More