KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Many East Tennesseans turn to their faith during troubling times through prayer and church attendance.
But we are currently at a time when attending church gatherings aren't encouraged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appealed to area churches not to hold in-person church services during the Coronavirus pandemic.
"Churches that continue to meet and gather with the elderly and putting groups of people in the same setting are quite frankly putting people's lives at risk," he said Friday.
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Many local churches are already hosting temporary online services, so check with your own church's website or social media account to see what they're doing.
We asked local members of the clergy to share a message of hope with you. They are Rev. Melissa Smith, Senior Pastor at Kodak United Methodist Church, Sam Polson, Lead Pastor at West Park Baptist Church, and Most Rev. Richard Stika, Bishop of Knoxville: