Lancaster County churches grapple with worship, safety in COVID pandemic

As COVID-19 cases in Lancaster County surged unabated into December, a number of church leaders persisted with in-person gatherings — some publicizing mask-less services — despite public health warnings.

While Pennsylvania health officials have put limits on gatherings, required masks and imposed 14-day quarantines on travelers to stem the rapid spread of COVID-19, church leaders have straddled the fine line between shepherding those in their flock who scoff at the mitigation strategies and the vulnerable who need protection.

State health department limits on gatherings have never applied to houses of worship. Instead, Gov. Tom Wolf has relied on religious leaders to voluntarily “embrace alternative forms of worship.”