Worcester Pastor Releases Statement of Thanksgiving and Praise After Interim Court Agreement
May 16, 2020
The Worcester pastor who is planning to hold a sixth church service this weekend over the limit of 10 set by the governor released a statement late Friday night expressing encouragement at an interim agreement his lawyer reached with lawyers for the state and city.
State and Worcester authorities have agreed not to try to punish Pastor Kris Casey for the public church service he plans to hold Sunday, May 17 at Adams Square Baptist Church, though a $300 civil penalty and application for criminal charges for previous services are still pending.
The agreement is temporary, pending changes to Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s coronavirus emergency orders expected to be announced Monday, May 18. But the pastor is hopeful the governor will authorize public church services to resume.
Details of the agreement are described in a joint motion filed Friday, May 15 in U.S. District Court in Boston by the pastor’s lawyer, an assistant attorney general representing the governor, and a lawyer representing the city of Worcester.
A lawyer for the city of Worcester declined comment on behalf of the city on Friday, May 15, after being contacted by New Boston Post. A spokesman for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office could not immediately be reached for comment.
Pastor Casey’s Friday night press release expressed gratitude for the agreement. It states in full:
My family and I, along with our church, would like to give thanks to Almighty God for all that he has done! He has delivered us today and all praise, glory and honor belongs to Him.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Governor Baker for the assurance he has given that our rights to worship our Savior will not be infringed upon this weekend.
We would also like to express our sincere thanks to City Manager Augustus and Police Chief Steve Sargent, for working in conjunction with the Governor on this important matter of religious liberty. We are so thankful for what they have all done here today in the city of Worcester.
Our desire is not to clash with the authorities. We pray for each of you and we are thankful for all that you do to keep our community healthy and safe.
We would also like to thank the people all over the Commonwealth and throughout our great nation, who have called, texted, and written letters offering their support and encouragement. Thank you for standing with us as we strive to protect the freedoms we have here in America to assemble and worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as laid out for us in the King James Bible.
I want to assure our community that Adams Square Baptist Church can assemble in a safe, sanitized and socially distanced way that exceeds any recommendations from our government. During this time of uncertainty, people need the anchor and hope that is Jesus Christ.
People are hurting right now, not just physically from coronavirus. They are suffering mentally, spiritually, and emotionally from everything that is going on in our nation.
Some have lost family members and friends to this virus. Our hearts grieve with them over these losses. If the church doors are open, the members of our community can find a haven of rest in the midst of this chaos.
Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;” God has promised believers that he will walk us through this valley. It is imperative that church remains open so that our community can be comforted, encouraged, and strengthened.
The church is important.
The church is necessary.
The church is essential.
