A pair of churches in the Fraser Valley are continuing to offer in-person services despite orders from health officials to suspend the gatherings. The Free Grace Baptist Church and Free Reformed Church in Chilliwack, B.C., both held services last Sunday and are expected to as well this week. Essential serviceBoth said they consider in-person worship an essential service and that, as commanded by God, they are required to attend public worship. Mike Rail said that the orders from public health authorities "are not optional," but that education rather than enforcement was the focus for officers. "However should circumstances dictate, police have the authority to carry out enforcement of the provincial public health orders, to help ensure compliance and therefore public safety," he said in an email to CBC News.

Source: CBC News November 29, 2020 16:47 UTC