Long-standing religious gatherings canceled, some services continue

For the first time in its 48-year history, the Christian Businessmen’s Connection Good Friday breakfast is canceled over concerns about the coronavirus.

“We’re considering maybe a fall event. We’re not going to walk away from it until all options are depleted,” said Boice Bailey, chairman of the Greensburg Christian Businessmen’s Connection.

The annual breakfast is the longest-running event at the Ramada Greensburg Hotel & Conference Center and normally attracts 350 to 400 people, he said.

The Trump administration’s guidance on public gatherings — limiting them to no more than 10 people — continues to have a profound effect on religious bodies at a time of year when more services are held and attendance increases.

The speaker at this year’s breakfast was scheduled to be Pittsburgh native Ed Kobel, son of Edward DeBartolo Sr. and half brother of Eddie DeBartolo Jr.

Two pre-Easter dinners — one in Greensburg and one in Cranberry — also have been canceled, Bailey said.

Another large religious gathering, the Diocese of Greensburg men’s conference “The Well,” which attracted 600 Catholic men last year, has been rescheduled for May 9. It originally was scheduled for Saturday at Westmoreland County Community College.

Coronavirus fears also have forced the cancellation of the 24th annual Blessing of the Bikes at Murrysville Alliance Church on Old William Penn Highway. The event, which annually attracts thousands of motorcycle riders, had been scheduled for April 19.

Not everyone is canceling services, though.

World of Life Church in Hempfield is encouraging people to attend on Sunday, either at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Senior Pastor Tom Walters explained the decision in a note to the congregation posted on the nondenominational church’s Facebook page.

“For those who feel that we are not complying with the president’s request for no meeting over 10 people, please know that, to my knowledge, this is not a mandatory law,” Walters said. “If it was, we would certainly comply as in accordance to Romans 13. So if you stay home, we bless you. If you come, we bless you.”

Romans 13:1 states, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.”

Walters said Word of Life is staying open for the same reason that hospitals are staying open — to meet people’s needs, whether physical or spiritual.

Most of the Facebook comments on Walters’ letter were positive. An estimated 250-300 people attended a praise and worship service at Word of Life Wednesday night, he said.

“People are looking for something to hold on to that’s going to give them encouragement, that’s going to give them hope,” Walters said in an interview. “I continue to get encouraging words from the people in the congregation that the church is a beacon of light and hope to them in a time of despair.”

The church’s annual Easter drama, “The Passion of Our Lord,” is still scheduled for April 5-10, but “we’re prepared to shut it down if need be,” he said.

Walters said people should “use discretion, use wisdom,” and if they are sick, they should stay home.

Easter this year falls on April 12 and, for Orthodox Christians, on April 19.