Posted on 04/10/2020 8:35:45 AM PDT by chicagolady
DESTINY CHURCH SERVICE CONSIDERED UNLAWFUL DESTINY CHURCH SPRINGFIELD·THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020·3 MINUTES Destiny Church in Springfield, IL has willingly held all church services online. However, for Easter we wanted to have a special parking lot service, just like the old drive in theater where no one got out of their cars. People were more than excited. But only 5 days before Easter, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Mr. Bill Dart of the Sangamon County Department of Public health informed us that Destiny’s, “Easter Sunday, Drive-in Parking Lot Church Service” was in violation of Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order. I told Mr. Dart that I strongly disagreed as I had thoroughly examined the Executive Order for myself. I then immediately emailed the Sangamon County Sheriff, Jack Campbell, stating that I needed his understanding of the Governor’s Executive Order; paragraph 12C, where it clearly states that “organizations that provide charitable and social services”are exempt. In the interim I consulted with two, nationally known, Constitutional lawyers who totally agree with us; that we are clearly within our rights to assemble yet stay in our cars. However, late on Wednesday (4 days before Easter), April 8, 2020, Sheriff Jack Campbell responded to my email with a phone call. He informed me that he believes the church would be in violation. We had a very civil conversation for 15 minutes where he made his position clear. I disagreed, and then clearly stated our position. We both are considerate of each other’s dilemma. We believe the safety measures we put in place far exceed the CDC social distancing standards. Pastors would wear masks and gloves, no one would exit their car and the 1-hour service would be broadcast to their car radio. Even the cars would be more than 6 feet part. We even had food to distribute to those who have been affected by the Executive Order. I informed the Sheriff that today I had gone to both, Menards and Walmart. There were 100’s of cars, people walking around without masks, touching everything, exchanging/touching money etc… I expressed my utter distaste that the church (of which the government shall not regulate) has been marginalized as non-essential to our community. I told him that the church is clearly an “essential service” to the community and to deem pot dispensaries and liquor stores essential while in the same breath say the Church isn’t, is not only saddening, it is maddening. Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, Delaware, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia and other states have all decreed that church services may proceed and are indeed essential. However, even though we strongly believe the Body of Christ in Illinois is being unfairly targeted by this Executive Order. We will comply, for now. Sheriff Campbell was very polite, professional, understanding and even sympathetic. Together we are praying for a quick resolution to these oppressive restrictions slated to end on April 30th. Sincerely, Rev., Dr. Eric A. Hansen
No, it’s true. It was in the NY Post with photos. A person in the family had just come back to NJ from Florida.
Spank me kindly! See post 16.
“Being in a car seems so impersonal. I think I’d rather comfortably be in my living room watching online “
Yup
Over here Ping.
I followed your time line as well.
I’m one of the ‘sick’ and ready to move on with my mask and precautions.
They should allow outside services with distances between people. And masks.
Well, if governors now say A1 and separation of church and state do not apply to their state, then they no longer apply with any non-fed entity in their state.
Therefore, a teacher or coach or administrator praying or leading prayer or posting the Ten Commandments or displaying a Crucifix is no longer a violation of A1 either.
Well it’s certainly preferable....you just have to wonder at what point, Christ’s admonition that his followers buy swords comes into play. A person might martyr himself for Christ but he mustn’t let his children if he can help it be martyred along side. There certainly is room for defense.
A larger message should start to go out to the peoples that we have influence on beyond this forum and ask the question.....”So how do you like your little taste of North Korea?”
Yeah We all know the Law and common sense only applies to everyone except the demonratcommiescumbags and camelrapingterroristscum.
The tangled webs they weave.
Ramadan runs from April 23rd to May 23rd, this year; so we will soon see the effect on the lockdown.
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