A Newbury Park Church went forward with handing out communion on Palm Sunday, despite concerns about coronavirus and decisions by other churches not to do so.
The Rev. Rob McCoy, of Godspeak Cavalry Church, blue arrows were placed on the ground for parishioners to use as social distancing guidelines. Small groups were allowed to pick up communion inside the church from a table.
"We want to respect social distancing. We want to respect everything that’s requested of us, but we still want to have access to what is a sacrament," said Senior Pastor Rob McCoy in a video posted to their website. "We will not violate a single CDC ordinance. No one is going to touch anything. No one is going to handshake, no one is going to hug."
McCoy said their church leadership was struggling with what to do during this period of isolation and social distancing. The church decided to stream their Palm Sunday service online at 11 a.m. then later have parishioner arrive later for communion.
Guidelines such as not touching, wearing gloves and a mask and practicing social distancing as well as not coming if you were sick were set forth on its website.
“He’s putting his parishioners at risk, as well as the community at large at risk,” said resident David Graham. “To me, that’s somebody who has a huge ego.”
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NBC4 reached out to McCoy for a comment.
Godspeak Calavary Church is held communion despite the Pope asking people to watch Palm Sunday Mass remotely because of the coronavirus panademic. McCoy said although he thinks some people will disagree that others will be overjoyed.
"Godspeak sees this as an essential part of The Church, and we want to make this available to you," church leaders said online.
