Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” —Matthew 18:20

Last weekend and on the third Sunday in Lent, lay and ordained leaders at parishes and missions in the Diocese of Los Angeles rose magnificently to the challenge of balancing state and local authorities’ guidelines for combating the COVID-19 outbreak with the spiritual and practical needs of their members. Some went ahead with corporate worship. Others switched to worship on-line. Many did both.

This week, we confront a substantially changed landscape. A consensus has formed that self-isolation is the only way to blunt the pandemic. The federal government and some local authorities now discourage or ban all gatherings of more than ten people. The State of California has asked those 65 years old and older to self-quarantine. As a result, I am now working at home, while giving thanks for all who are enduring massive disruption in their lives for the sake of those who are most at risk.

For these reasons, I am suspending all in-person worship in the Diocese of Los Angeles at least through Easter Day, April 12. This restriction also applies to all on-campus meetings, Bible studies, fellowship meals, and other activities.

In a message to The Episcopal Church today, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote, “I believe that suspension of in-person public worship is generally the most prudent course of action at this time, even during Holy Week and on Easter Day. I am also mindful that local situations vary. Bishops must make this determination on the duration of said suspension in their respective dioceses, based on the public health situation in their context and the recommendations or requirements of government agencies and officials.” In the spirit of Bishop Curry’s statement, I will alert you if and when improving conditions in our diocese warrant shortening the duration of the suspension.

This is not to say worship and praise of our God in Christ and service to our neighbors in need will cease. We need our faith, and the world needs the church, now more than ever. Last weekend, many became instant experts in live-streaming worship services. Go here to watch an instructional video or find written instructions. All you need is a cell phone and Facebook account and, if available, a tripod and external microphone.

If your church isn’t live-streaming worship — or if it is, and you’re hungry for even more of the gospel — look for another service to watch. As I did last Sunday, I’ll offer a service of Morning Prayer from my home this Sunday, March 22 at 10 a.m.; watch it here. If you can, have The Book Of Common Prayer handy (on-line or in the old-fashioned way) to make it easier to participate in the service. You can also find Morning and Evening prayer services for your computer here in both English and Spanish. To read my sermon from last Sunday, about Joseph’s optimism and flexibility in the face of crisis and chaos, go here.

• I invite you to find a prudent way to keep the doors of your churches open on Sunday morning so individuals or small family groups can visit for socially distanced prayer, meditation, and pastoral conversation. No more than ten people should be in the building at the same time.

• If you have a wedding scheduled, please give the couple the options of postponing the ceremony or bringing their witnesses for a private ceremony comprising no more than five people, including the officiant. All participants must be healthy and under the age of 65 and observe rules about hygiene and social distancing.

• If a funeral can’t be postponed, you may conduct a private ceremony with socially distanced, healthy immediate family members. No more than ten people may be present, including the officiant.

• Think creatively about ways to make sure every member of your church gets a check-up phone call once a week. Those in nursing homes, now unable to receive most visitors, should get more than one call a week. Many churches have members 65 or older who live alone and are now confined to their homes. Please make sure other members call them and offer to do food shopping and pick up prescriptions.

• In keeping with the paramount value of public safety, do your best to continue existing service ministries, especially feeding programs. The need will only grow more urgent in these times. Volunteers and staff should be under 65 and healthy, practicing rigorous hygiene and social distancing. Hot meals served inside should be discontinued in favor of outside distribution of foodstuffs and bagged meals.

• Church leaders should use their own discretion when it comes to third-party meetings on their campuses. For the most part, they should be postponed. Special care must be taken with 12-step meetings. Some groups are scheduling on-line meetings. But not everyone who depends on a meeting on your campus may have a backup plan. Any 12-step meeting should have no more than ten people, all healthy and under 65, committed to hygiene and social distancing.

• We’ll have more to say tomorrow about church operations and finance. For now, staff members who can work from home should do so. Those over 65, lay and ordained, should self-isolate. Let us know if you need suggestions about supply clergy.