A South Coast church violated state and Ventura County coronavirus safety orders Sunday, conducting communion for its congregation. The decision by leaders of Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park also prompted one of its pastors to resign from his post as a Thousand Oaks city councilman.
The church held its Sunday services online, telling people not to come in person. But, because it was Palm Sunday, the church opened its doors for communion.
Pastor Rob McCoy took issue with the fact that churches were deemed nonessential. McCoy, who was also a Thousand Oaks City councilman, told reporters Saturday that they would offer communion despite the orders. McCoy said he didn't want the decision to become an issue for the city, so he resigned from his council post.
The church offered communion using social distancing protocols, with people told to stay six feet apart like at supermarkets. McCoy said the church, and parishioners were exercising their legal rights.
But some neighbors were upset, saying that having people come to the church was endangering the community as a whole.
