Orange County churches making changes to Christmas services due to COVID-19

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County health leaders said they’re concerned about churches heading into the Christmas season as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Health department officials said they’ve been seeing spikes each week connected to Sunday services, and they’re concerned for several reasons.

A lot of elderly people usually attend church. Many have pre-existing conditions that put them at even higher risk, and singing could help spread the virus.

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The Rev. David Miller is determined to not let the pandemic steal Christmas, but said things will look a little different this year at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park.

“We will not be meeting in person on Christmas Eve,” he said.

The pastor said it will be too difficult to space out about 3,500 parishioners, or choose who gets to attend.

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“This year, with social distancing and cleaning between services, maybe several hundred would be able to attend,” Miller said.

Instead, the church will hold three virtual services, which is what the Orange County Department of Health is asking all churches to do.

Orange County health officer Dr. Raul Pino said there are too many risks with rising COVID-19 cases.

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“We have celebrated 1000 Christmas. We can skip one,” he said.

And many times, the spike can be tied to singing, which is a huge part of the Christmas season.

First United Methodist Church is also providing people with Christmas candles and asking them to join together by singing “Silent Night” and saying a prayer from their front lawn on Christmas Eve.

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Cox Media Group