“Extension of the Suspension of Church Gatherings in view of the continued COVID-19 prudent,” insists CCZ General Secretary Canon Emmanuel Chikoya 

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All correspondence to be addressed to the General Secretary

CCZ INTERNAL MEMO
To: All CCZ Church leaders
Date: 25th April 2020
Ref: Extension of the Suspension of Church Gatherings in view of the continued COVID-19.

Dear Church leaders,
I write to advise that it is more prudent not to lift the suspension of all public Church gatherings until further notice.

We have taken note of the Presidential address, however our consultations and the reality on the ground have prompted the above stated position.

As Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), we share the challenges that our communities around the country are facing due to the coronavirus, COVID-19.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) to which we belong have clearly given guidance that we must protect life by all means and desist from Church gatherings until COVID-19 has been contained.

Our approach is also informed by the expert advice from medical professionals.

We further request all congregations to enhance sanitation and safety measures such as massive cleaning and disinfecting of Church buildings as well as getting all the necessary handwashing utensils and requirements.

We call upon the CCZ fraternity to continue observing social distancing, washing of hands, wearing of masks and adhering to other preventive measures.

As a nation we are still in dire straits and should avoid throwing caution to the winds.

It is critical that we use every available and necessary means to preserve life.

For the sake of that love, it is important and urgent that we adapt our modes of worship and fellowship to the needs of this time of pandemic infection, in order to avoid the risk of becoming sources of viral transmission rather than means of grace.

Our faith in the God of life compels us to protect life by doing all that we can to avoid transmitting this virus.

This is an opportune time for the Churches across the country to review their role in society by safely ministering to, providing for, and caring for the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and the aged –all those who are most at risk due to COVID-19.

Finally, let us continue to pray for those infected with COVID-19, for their families, and for the medical staff and health workers who risk their lives to provide treatment and prevention for us.

And let us pray also for public health officials.
May God bless Zambia and Heal our land.

Rev. Canon Emmanuel Chikoya
GENERAL SECRETARY

Stand No. 377A, Ecumenical Centre
Bishop Road, Kabulonga
P.O. Box 30315 Lusaka – Zambia
Tel: 260-211-267744
Tell/Fax: 260-211-267740
E-mail.irifo@ccz.org.zm
www.ccz.org.zm