Churches temporarily close, make changes in Colorado Springs due to COVID-19

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Some church leaders in Colorado Springs are temporarily halting services to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Unity Spiritual Center of the Rockies announced online Thursday it will be suspending services and workshops until March 31.

The chapel is shared by both the High Plains Church Unitarian Universalist and Unity Spiritual Center. The board members wrote in a statement that they voted unanimously to take precautionary actions.

"Caring for everyone is our primary concern, and this step is taken because it is the socially responsible action to take," the board stated. "Please know that we make this decision from a calm and hopeful demeanor, rather than from fear."

However, the churches also stated that they may hold worship services and classes through online forums.

"Right now we have nobody that is showing symptoms or ill in neither of our congregations," said Rev. Julia McKay with the High Plains Church. "We feel like it's a good time to act ahead of the curve."

Ahriana Platten, the reverend for New Unity Spiritual Center, said not taking an action could have unwanted consequences.

"Not only does this affect the most vulnerable in our community, but also on the other end of our community we have people in the younger workforce who work jobs that they can't work from home," Platten said.

Other churches in the Pikes Peak region are instead increasing cleaning efforts and adjusting meetings.

Pastor Brady Boyd sent out an email to his local congregants at New Life Family.

"We are encouraging people who don’t feel well to stay home to rest and recuperate," the email read. That’s one of the reasons we have invested in live streaming on our website and through our Facebook page."

Workers for New Life Church will also be installing more hand sanitizers and asking parishioners to greet by fist or elbow bumps.

Although Boyd is watching closely for new guidelines from health officials in El Paso County, he said many parishioners may feel the need to unite.

"I mean this is actually a time where probably a lot of people need to be around other human beings for encouragement or strength," Boyd said. "And church is the perfect place for that to happen."

The county public health department is encouraging high-risk people to practice "social distancing" and to avoid large gatherings when possible.