Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order limiting gatherings to less than ten people, a not unsurprising order given the circumstances. But tomorrow is Easter.

Kelly issued the order on Tuesday, which included exceptions for clergy and other individuals conducting services. The directive sparked an intense backlash from Republicans, who said it trampled on the constitutional right to freedom of religion.

On Wednesday, the Legislative Coordinating Council — made up of legislative leaders from both parties — voted along party lines to revoke the order. In her lawsuit, Kelly argued only the full Legislature has the ability to overturn her orders.

Whether church congregants, or clergy, have a death wish isn’t clear, and there may well be few churches who would hold full Easter services in any event. One would expect that many will make accommodations appropriate to the public health reality.

As the legal battle plays out, it appears that most churches have been observing the limits on in-person gatherings and plan to continue. Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, for example, is holding services online only and cancelled all activities. “Our Easter joy won’t come from worship in a crowded room,” said its sign outside.

But then, church services have the potential to wreak havoc.

Concerns over religious services in Kansas have intensified among health officials after Lee Norman, the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, disclosed that three of the state’s 12 case clusters originated with church gatherings.

And it is, after all, Easter. So the Kansas Supreme Court, in a demonstration that the law can ramp up to speed when the courts are so inclined, issued a very unusual order.

Oral argument will be 9:00 am this morning. You can watch oral argument here.

Of course, if you can watch oral argument live by video, you could also watch Easter services live by video and avoid the risk of spreading coronavirus. Either way, may god be with you.

H/T Deacon B.McLeod