A visit by the police and a warning in early December didn't stop them, and neither will a $2,300 fine. Harvest Ministries is defiant. Saying they plan to continue despite public health orders to stop gathering.
The Harvey Avenue church has had two visits by the police in December, the second one resulting in the fine.
Pastor Heather Lucier told KelownaNow that church services are an essential service. "We've been holding services and we're going to continue to hold services," said Lucier. "We're just going to do it until we can't."
Lucier said the Bible says to not stop gathering together. She wouldn't say how many people attend the services but said there are precautions. "We distance them as much as possible," she explained.
"We have masks available, we have hand sanitizer available," Lucier added but said they don't insist people wear masks. "That's not our law. We're not law enforcement officers," Lucier said, admitting that most of the congregation don't wear masks during services.
A sign posted in the entrance to the church space tells visitors "We respect your right to choose," on the questions of masking-up. "Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
A member of the church told KelownaNow that weekly services have been split in two so that people have more space when they attend.
Lucier said she's not concerned about one of her church gatherings spreading the COVID-19 virus. "That's not been the case so far," she suggested, pointing out that people are allowed to sit in restaurants without masks.
"It's kind of contradictory in my books," she concluded.
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