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‘Increase weekend worship to 50 persons’- Claude O. Skelton-Cline

-said persons are quarantine & curfew fatigued
Pastor and Government Consultant, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline, left, has appealed to the Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) Government to consider increasing weekend worship to 50 persons. Photo: Facebook/File
Due to the Novel Coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19, affecting the Virgin Islands and the rest of the world, a 20-person limit per church service was implemented. Photo: VINO/File
Due to the Novel Coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19, affecting the Virgin Islands and the rest of the world, a 20-person limit per church service was implemented. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- An appeal has been made to the Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) Government to consider increasing weekend worship by 30 persons.

Due to the Novel Coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19, affecting the Virgin Islands and the rest of the world, a 20-person limit per church service was implemented.

Addressing the issue on Thursday, May 14, 2020, on the Honestly Speaking radio programme on ZBVI 780 AM, Pastor and Government Consultant, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline said the time is ripe for expansion.

“I want to make an appeal to our government for the expansion, for the increase of the numbers in our worship centres in our faith-based community. Right now we are at 20, but clearly, as a country, we have demonstrated our capacity, our willingness, our ability to follow, to be guided and governed by the protocols as well as those we impose on ourselves.”

Quarantine & curfew fatigued

Mr Skelton-Cline added, as far as he is aware, the churches are playing their part in upholding the social distancing and hand hygiene measures.

“There are churches who have masks; there are churches who have the thermometers to check your temperature, they have set up the safe distancing and all that good stuff. I am appealing to this government to increase those numbers and if that can happen as early as this weekend to 50 parishioners, creating that energy and synergy and bringing back the people of God together.

“Clearly, we are all quarantine fatigued and curfew fatigued, but we are doing what we must,” he said.

51 Responses to “‘Increase weekend worship to 50 persons’- Claude O. Skelton-Cline”

  • Hmm (15/05/2020, 08:34) Like (61) Dislike (5) Reply

    Offering running low? Shake my head.

    • Mr.detroit (15/05/2020, 09:20) Like (43) Dislike (2) Reply
      They can do a live stream(like many other churches around THE WORLD) or rotate 20 every Sunday...so that all the members get a chance
      • Greg (17/05/2020, 13:51) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        This is so silly. People have been going to church their entire lives, and you mean to tell me they lose their faith if they don't congregate for a little while? Then they are not true believers. They can see church on t.v. or just stay home and worship, can't GOD still hear you? God knows what's going on, so don't you think he would like for you yo use good judgment and stay away from as many people as possible until the scientists get a vaccine? Remember, God cannot do everything, we must help ourselves sometimes. If you want to pay your tithes, then drop it off at the church when the Pastor or someone is there. It's really that simple! True believers don't lose their faith by separation, it only makes it stronger.
    • Sally-ann (15/05/2020, 13:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think if he can open up so can bars and strip clubs, there are countless reports of mass transmission of the virus throughout the US from church congregations, they are true Petri dishes. Put it to your district rep, if churches open so do bars!
  • duff bottom (15/05/2020, 08:35) Like (42) Dislike (5) Reply
    You are so true seems like the offering running low. What they wouldn’t do for money.
  • christian (15/05/2020, 08:36) Like (44) Dislike (5) Reply
    Same reason I stop going to church they only want money not even to benefit the church it help out in the community but for their own personal pockets. I will continue to worship God from home.
    • Truth to be told (15/05/2020, 08:57) Like (51) Dislike (11) Reply

      They only wan the 50 now because the 20 people not bringing in enough offering.

      • Troll @ Truth to be told (15/05/2020, 09:33) Like (7) Dislike (29) Reply
        And the only reason you say that because you don't have anything better say and absolutely know nothing....come on now "not bringing in enough offering" that's getting stale...can't you all come with something new?
    • Troll (15/05/2020, 09:27) Like (13) Dislike (24) Reply
      That's not a valid reason to stop church, Congratualations, you've fallen into the devil trap.....I'm sure if you attend meetings and so forth you will know where exactly where the monies are going. Y'all so caught with what people say and don't know the truth and the blind is leading you to the pit as the scripture says. Hebrews 10:25, read and let it sink in!
  • Smith (15/05/2020, 08:37) Like (30) Dislike (17) Reply

    His pockets empty now buddy?

  • Practice (15/05/2020, 08:39) Like (35) Dislike (3) Reply
    People you can worship from home yes church is good to congregate with others but don’t be fooled. The lord hears you as much In home just as in church. Turn on the radio Sunday mornings to gospel station, take an hour to two and praise the lord.
  • Observer (15/05/2020, 08:40) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    I really don’t know what type of preacher Claude is. He wants to be involve in politics and every other thing.
  • Iris (15/05/2020, 08:43) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    He will end up getting arrested just like his bishop cline but then again he will get release. Man like him don’t have to follow by the law because authorities got them so spoiled.
  • BVIlander (15/05/2020, 08:43) Like (9) Dislike (30) Reply
    The 50 people should only be Locals and BVI landers
    • @£££££ (15/05/2020, 10:28) Like (36) Dislike (6) Reply
      Please block comments like this. Comments like this do not represent the BVI community and ppl as a whole
    • saying (15/05/2020, 11:51) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ BVIkabder; God will punish you for your willfulness
    • No Worry (15/05/2020, 12:52) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      The way 'BVIlander' is posted says a lot. No respectable B.V Islander would do that or sound so stupid.
    • How impish (15/05/2020, 13:50) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      I hope your God is a Belonger.
    • Well (16/05/2020, 12:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I know you are not a BVIslander, I can tell. Just starting evil!
  • Pastor (15/05/2020, 08:45) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply

    The offering from the 20 persons ain’t enough?

  • oh boy (15/05/2020, 08:45) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Noo we need social distancing the 20 persons is enough
  • empty (15/05/2020, 08:54) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pockets running low eh. That’s all it is
  • annudda2cents (15/05/2020, 09:28) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    i am of the opinion that groups of persons allowed to be together should be calculated based on the square footage of the facilities. for instance, a building like that belonging to New Life must be have an open space of at least 4500 sq ft. if you want to implement social distancing, you can do 1 person per 49 sq ft (7x7), that would render about 92 members. and this type of logic should not be limited to just the church, but for any organization/business. supermarkets, like One Mart can limit to say 150 customers inside, and issue 150 entry cards to be shared at the door. as customers leave, they return their cards to the door keeper as a way to control the quota. some things in life can be so simple and practical. not that complicated.
    • True (15/05/2020, 09:49) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      fantastic I have 4500sqft of seating space in my restaurant so even 50 people would do me, I'm not greedy actually I would be happy even with 20 but it ain't going to happen till the tourists come back so I will wait till November or whenever the Government says its ok to do so.
    • @annudda2cents (16/05/2020, 12:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      People love to socialize in the parking lot ofter service. So I do not agree.
    • Agree (16/05/2020, 14:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree the one size fits all won't work. A very small church with the same 20 persons limit will struggle to socially distant themselves.
  • lol (15/05/2020, 09:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    50 persons x 100 dollars each in the plate = $5000
    • Troll @ lol (15/05/2020, 12:02) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Congrats, you can count...would you like a cookie for your reward?
  • press secretary (15/05/2020, 10:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's vitally important that the contract sum(s) awarded to this individual Is justified, and it's paramount that he remains relevant. What better forum to use than that of communication/re social media etc.. Very clever individual !
  • Eagle Eye (15/05/2020, 10:13) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    Anybody who can prove there is a God or Satan i'll give you 10,000 right now cash.
    • Troll @ Eagle Eye (15/05/2020, 11:27) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth"....Not enough for you? Ok, Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O LUCIFER (aka Satan), son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!".....So umm..yeah, name and location on where to collect
      • Eagle Eye (15/05/2020, 21:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Like I said troll, prove there is either and your money is sure.
    • @ eagle eye (15/05/2020, 12:56) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      The fact that you don't believe in either tells me they exist.
    • Agreeable One (16/05/2020, 06:58) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Can you prove that there is not a God or a devil. Will give you 20,000 cash right now.
      • Eagle Eye (16/05/2020, 15:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        My money sure listen good (Agreeable one). #1 It's white men who wrote the bible. #2 noyone has ever seen your so call God or satan that's why you are living in faith.#3 there is no event from the bible that is recorded in African history. Neither can you find any grave sites of the bible folks.#4 the earth is older than the bible. Should be enough for you so pay up.
  • Cy (15/05/2020, 11:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some of au you dutty. Local and foreign
  • church (15/05/2020, 11:32) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    I agree with Skelton-Cline a man of reasoning
  • Baldhead (15/05/2020, 11:40) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why stop at 50?

    If we're opening up, why not allow up to a million?

    The lord will replenish the coughers
  • priest (15/05/2020, 12:05) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Church is the People. If all the buildings are closed, the Church should remain vibrant. God must be worshipped in spirit and truth. No one has to travel to a special place to do so. Praise is bragging or telling people what God has done for them. You can tell your household, neighbor, and not necessarily waiting until you go into a building to do so. Going into the building on a special day is important so we should not neglect to do so, however, the main purpose is to have fellowship with each other. It does not necessarily mean singing and shouting and reading the bible. We could sit down and talk, laugh, have a meal together or helping those who are in whatever needs etc. The biggest obstacle in the Church is money. Gone are the days when the Sheperd go hungry to ensure that his flock is fed. People don't want to preach the gospel anymore unless they are paid to do so. Now don't get me wrong, the bible support if you want to call it a salary for the Pastor which will help in his upkeep. This especially true when the Pastor has no other employment. Many of them are businessmen, hold two or more jobs spend less than ten hours per month in the Service but still expect the Congregation to pay him a large salary at the end of the month. While he comfortable pays his mortgage, sent his children to Collage, drive around in the most expensive vehicle and wear $500 suits, His flock many of whom who scratch to pay rent and other bills, can't even send their children to high school or even to put food on their tables are asked to pay a tithe each month (which is not supported biblically) or the wrath of God will descend on them. Most will condemn what I am saying and will warn me not to 'touch the Lord anointed or do his Prophet no harm' but he alone will Judge me. This lockdown should show us that God has broken down the wall that separated us from him. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. The Pastor does not mediate but provides leadership as God Leads him. Folks going back to the building is important but if doing so does not serve the purpose we are doing so in vain. We should give to the "church' for its upkeep. We should give so that our Pastors who dedicate him/herself to the Gospel is well supported. We should give so that those members amongst us, the widows, sick, and others who are having difficulty in supporting themselves could do so and are neglected. Probably the closing of the buildings was meant to force us into the high and byways, out of our comfort zones to preach the message of salvation to the lost. I long to see my brothers and sisters again. We will not be able to hug, shake hands or do the things we used to at this moment but bear in mind that when our spirit joins together with the spirit of God regardless of distance we are still children of God. Money is a defense, it answerest all things but the love of it is the root of all evil in the church and elsewhere.
  • work harder? (15/05/2020, 12:27) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    maybe hold service multiple times a day and actually work for your proceeds?
  • Help Me !!! (15/05/2020, 13:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some claiming the church wants the numbers moved from 20 to 50 just to make additional money(more dollars in the collection baskets) in the meantime the government just added an additional 7% to transaction simply to make more money: the prices at the supermarkets gone up so the markets can make more money....somebody pinch me
  • solution (15/05/2020, 15:07) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Several services can be held at the same time in various rooms of the church which allows for 20 persons per space. For instance if a church has in its leadership - a pastor, senior pastor, assistant pastor, youth pastor etc. Each pastor/leader can hold the separate services all on the same topic for that Sunday in different areas of the building. Example NLBC has the main church building, the daycare and preschool areas, the save the seed center which has multiple floors and large rooms. Therefore several services can be facilitated at the same time on a Sunday spread throughout the premises. We need to come up with creative ways instead of trying to always find ways to have the government submit to our every request. I personally feel that no gatherings of more than 20 persons in any given space should be allowed in this present period.
  • wellness (15/05/2020, 15:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE DONT HAVE TO PRAY IN CONGREGATION IN ORDER TO BE SAVED OR QUALIFY FOR HEAVEN. SOME OF US FREQUENT CHURCH GOERS AND EVEN SOME OF OUR CHURCH LEADERS ARE MORALLY CHALLENGE.
  • R (15/05/2020, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ vino I agree with you people just like to take what they say makes no sense some of them soon tell cow halo
  • D (15/05/2020, 16:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ bvilander or u serious I can't believe what I read are you a child of God it's people like you have d world like that u need Jesus for sure my God help you
  • WHY? (15/05/2020, 21:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why people who don’t go to church, pay ties have an issue if the church have zero person, 20 person’s or 100 persons? If you don’t like church, not God fearing, pay ties keep out the debate about what the church would like to do or don’t! Half of you can’t wait for bars, strip clubs and whore house to reopen.
  • ?? (15/05/2020, 22:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    To all of you who are making sarcastic remarks concerning money and not needing a building to worship in are making light about the need for congregating.

    The enemy knows the power of the synergy of worship, prayers and praises to the Greater Power can do to evil and darkness in the spiritual realm which eventually affect the physical one.

    This synergy generated by worship is made up of the collective positive frequencies created by each human being in that congregation and has been proven scientifically and by satanists that the collection of them generate power and action from the heavenly realm.

    We must not forget that the evil that occurs in the physical realm is birthed in the spiritual and to undo it or counteract it, the fight against it must be done first in the spiritual.

    Ephesians Chapter 6 verses 10 to 18 tell us who are our enemies which are not flesh and blood but are principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places; and how to fight them by using the whole armor of God: Salvation, the word of God (Bible), Righteousness, Truth, Gospel of Peace, Prayer, and Faith.

    Also Psalms 91 tells us of one of the powerful tools against the enemies where it states that "he that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty". That weapon is prayer to the Almighty which guarantees us refuge.

    We forget that the globalists dabble in the occult including Bill Gates because of the fruits of their labor - abortions; vaccinations that maim and kill; bribery of leaders and politicians for malicious legislation that prevent lawsuits, prosecution and compensation for deliberate or reckless harm to humanity from medicine; purchase of patents for viruses discovered from which pharmaceuticals are made for profit; man made viruses; etc. They know the power of God as stated in Matthew Chapter 18 verse 20 which states that "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. The Bible is not just a history book or religious book, it is also a science book which has been studied by occultist, free masons, the illuminati, satanists and other named occultists. They do not want church members congregating as their worship has power to command God to act because of the promises he made to humanity in the scriptures.

    Therefore, I am for the increasing the numbers of the attendees provided there is square footage to accommodate. Also allow for large flat screen tvs outside with chairs and tents to accommodate more persons.

    Please consider having two 1-hour mid-week church services at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm to accommodate those who cannot come on sundays.

    Join the bandwagon to rally the Premier to increase the numbers. We need to fight in the spiritual realm to affect the physical !!!
  • hm (16/05/2020, 07:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A set of pagans.
  • attention (16/05/2020, 09:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people should neither be seen or heard you are more popular than the Corona Virus


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