The Executive Committee of Truth Publications, in conjunction with Kyle Pope, co-editor of the Lecture Book, and Lance Taylor (Director of Operations), have been monitoring all federal and State of Alabama COVID-19 advisories and restrictions and their possible impact upon the 2020 Truth Lectures.

Since the Truth Lectures are held in Athens, AL, Truth Publications has been seeking to comply with the statewide coronavirus emergency health orders issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Here is a link to the latest press release: “New ‘safer at home’ health order eases some COVID-19 restrictions in Alabama while protecting our communities.”

Some restrictions are being lifted or revised in the latest guidelines issued by the ADPH that went into effect April 30th and will continue in effect until May 15th. While this will allow the CEI Bookstore to reopen for store customers on a restricted basis, it still leaves us in a precarious position regarding the 2020 Truth Lectures, scheduled for June 22-25.

Non-work gatherings are still limited to fewer than ten persons with six feet distance between persons. “Drive-in” gatherings are still permitted if participants stay in their cars with people from their own household. Non-work-related gatherings include church services, weddings, funeral services, social gatherings, concerts, festivals, sporting, and similar events.

These new orders will continue in effect until May 15th. However, no one knows whether they will be extended, canceled, or revised. Furthermore, the Athens Independent School District (AISD) is currently unable to guarantee that we will have access to the Athens Middle School auditorium, where we were planning to hold the 2020 Truth Lectures.

In light of this uncertainty, and because future ADPH guidelines that would apply to the week of lectures (June 22-25) will not be announced until the middle of May, the Executive Committee of Truth Publications has decided to cancel the 2020 Truth Lectures. Hopefully, we can reschedule this event for 2021, with the same topics and speakers.

We deeply regret having to make this decision, especially given all the work that our speakers put into preparing their manuscripts. However, under the current circumstances, we felt it prudent. May God bless each of you, along with your physical and spiritual families, during these difficult times.

Yours,

Lance Taylor

Member of the Executive Committee of Truth Publications: Scott Willis (President and Chief Executive Officer), Gary Watt (Chief Operating Officer), Daniel King (Vice-President), Mark Mayberry (Secretary and Co-editor of Lecture Book), along with Kyle Pope (Co-editor of Lecture Book) and Lance Taylor (Director of Operations)