NEW YORK —

Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have canceled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors and churchgoers who consider them an annual highlight.

Other churches planned outdoor services or proposed a hybrid of online and in-person worship, often imposing tight restrictions for those in attendance. These included requirements to wear masks and show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Video above: Churches are canceling in-person services

Among the prominent churches canceling some or all of their in-person Christmas services were Washington National Cathedral in the nation's capital; St. John the Divine, the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York; and the historic Old South Church in Boston.

The Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister of Old South, said the church – affiliated with the United Church of Christ – still hoped to hold in-person Christmas Day services on Saturday, but was shifting its popular Christmas Eve service to online-only.

"The Christmas Eve congregation tends to be larger with a lot of visitors, some of whom have come from parties, and many of whom are not used to Boston's mask mandate," she explained in her announcement.

"While we cherish these guests under normal circumstances, these are not normal circumstances. We are prioritizing the health and safety of our volunteers and staff," she said. "We know how disappointing this is."

Leaders of Washington National Cathedral, which traditionally welcomes more than 15,000 people to its Christmas services, announced that all its services until Jan. 9 would be offered only remotely, with no worshippers or visitors allowed in the cathedral.

"Unfortunately, as the omicron variant takes hold across the world, our city seems to be leading the nation in infections," said the cathedral's dean, the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith. "Given the spike in infections, I simply cannot justify gathering massive crowds as the public health situation worsens around us."

Another major Washington church – National City Christian Church – also canceled its Christmas Eve service and will shift exclusively to online worship at least through Jan. 16.

Leaders of National City — the national church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) — described their decision as one "we desperately did not want to make but feel we must." They noted that Washington's mayor, Murial Bowser, had declared a state of emergency in the District of Columbia.

In New York City, which is experiencing record numbers of positive tests for COVID-19, leaders at St. John Divine said they were shifting all Christmas services to online-only, using its Facebook page and YouTube channel.

"The time has come once again to put the needs and concerns of our wider community first," the cathedral said on its website.

Another historic New York City church – Middle Collegiate -- was gutted by a fire in December 2020. After overseeing painstaking rebuilding efforts, the Rev. Jacqui Lewis – the senior minister – was eagerly anticipating an in-person Christmas Eve service, but it has now been canceled.

The decision "is one of the hardest choices I've had to make as a pastor," Lewis told The Associated Press via email. "This was going to be the magnificent Christmas worship we'd longed for. But I love my people too much to risk their lives."

"My fabulous team pivoted on a dime, and we'll be hosting a gorgeous online celebration," she added. "We'll have stunning music and fiery preaching. But most importantly, we'll be safe. And we'll be together."

Among other churches canceling in-person Christmas services were the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Springfield, Illinois, and the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, home to a large, predominantly African American congregation.

Bishop Timothy Clarke, First Church of God's senior pastor, announced his decision live on the church's website Thursday evening.

"Blame me," he told congregation members who might be disappointed. "I am the one who will stand before God and give an account."

Just north of New York City, Westchester County's Bedford Presbyterian Church was among many churches nationwide planning to proceed with in-person Christmas services despite the spread of the omicron variant.

The Rev. Carol Howard Merritt — the senior pastor – said the decision was made by a group that included parents, a school administrator and a physician.

"It became clear that though the variant is highly contagious, the infections seem to result in milder cases, especially for those who are vaccinated and boosted," Merritt said via email. "In response, we decided to hold in-person services while making sure that we require masks, stagger seating, limit attendance, and shorten services."

At All Saints' Episcopal Church in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the Rev. Steven Paulikas made a similar decision – going ahead with in-person services while requiring masks for all those who attend. The Christmas Eve service was featuring music by the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, led by a congregation member, Arturo O'Farrill.

"Arturo and I decided this week to go ahead with having the orchestra, who are all vaccinated and tested regularly," Paulikas said. "As Arturo put it, we need to do what the congregation needs most — and what we need most right now is some beauty and hope."

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Public Schools board of education approved non-contact sports starting within the district this week, and contact sports like football can begin next week.

A decision on spectators at sporting events will be forthcoming, according to a CPS spokesperson late Thursday.

Academically, everything stays the same as it was for at least another week, the board decided during Monday's meeting. The board reached a consensus to get to a blended learning option as soon as data allows it.

The board will meet again on Sept. 21 to discuss what Labor Day’s COVID-19 numbers look like, as school officials said it’s still too soon to know.

Cincinnati Public Schools parent Mandy Carroll is the parent of a third-grader and a high school freshman.

“Now we’re finally hitting our stride,” she said. “Getting into the groove. Both my children are expressing extreme anxiety about coming back with COVID.”

Caution appeared to be on the mind of many parents who spoke via webcam.

“I don’t think it’s worth it to rush into this – and to open sports,” meeting participant Daniel Brenner said. “We don’t want to be another statistic."

Other meeting participants voiced frustration that online learning isn’t the best option.

“It takes constant interaction with a parent for her to do well in school,” parent Beth Sundermann said. “With two working parents in the family, it doesn’t work.”

Two weeks into the online curriculum and more than 5,000 students aren’t participating in school at all.

“Ask any parent of a 4-year-old or a 6-year-old how remote learning is working,” parent Jessica Powell asked. “And I guarantee that you’ll get an answer that it’s not."

Superintendent Laura Mitchell said she’s looking toward the future.

“No matter what decision is made, we’re ready to move forward,” she said.

There are three possibilities on the table for CPS:

• Continue online learning
• Move to a hybrid plan
• Go back to full-time in-classroom learning

“These kids deserve to play,” said Jerome Belcher, who participated in the online meeting. “The numbers justify it as you’ve already read. That’s why I don’t see there’s any reason why they wouldn’t allow them to play.”

Cincinnati Federation of Teachers president Julie Sellers spoke last.

“It’s important that you’re looking and thinking about all aspects before any decision is made,” she said. “I don’t think it will improve the educational options to go back part time."

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati State will return to in-person classes for the fall 2021 school semester after moving mostly online in 2020 due to COVID-19, the school said in a statement released on Thursday.

Students enrolling in the fall semester at Cincinnati State will still have the option to take a number of courses online.

"While this past year has been challenging for everyone, we learned a lot about how to better serve our busy students through a creative mix of in-person and remote education and services," Cincinnati State president Dr. Monica Posey said in Thursday's statement. "But we are very excited about being fully back on campus this fall, and continuing our mission of preparing students for advanced technical and health careers, and ongoing higher education."

The school moved all in-person, on-campus classes to an 'alternative format' March 14, 2020.

Courses for the fall semester will be posted on the school’s website March 22, with registration slated to begin March 29.

CINCINNATI — University of Cincinnati's spring 2021 graduates will be honored at two in-person commencement ceremonies inside Nippert Stadium at the end of April, UC announced Friday.

The university will host ceremonies on April 29 and April 30, and each 2021 graduate is permitted to host two guests. Each ceremony will be streamed live for family and friends who can't attend.

On April 29, degrees for the following colleges will be conferred:

• College of Allied Health Sciences
• Lindner College of Business
• College of Engineering and Applied Science
• College of Medicine
• James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
• UC Blue Ash College
• UC Clermont College

On April 29, degrees for the following colleges will be conferred:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)
• College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH)
• College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP)
• College of Nursing

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 6 p.m. both days. The ceremonies will be held virtually in case of bad weather.

"We recommend that families do not make non-refundable travel arrangements, as plans may change based on state guidance," read the university's announcement.

Graduates should expect to receive emails regarding tickets, parking, and other details that will be important to review in the coming weeks. Tickets will be required for entry, and ticket information is coming soon.

For more information and updates, visit UC's commencement website or email comminfo@uc.edu.

CINCINNATI — The city budget is finally balanced, but it took $67 million of American Rescue Plan funding to make it happen. On Thursday, at the first public hearing for Cincinnati’s 2022 budget, groups made their case to receive a portion of what’s left.

But members of council are still uncertain about the city’s financial future. Decisions made in Columbus could radically change Cincinnati’s plans.

The issue: "There is significant uncertainty in the short term regarding the extent of income taxes,” said assistant city manager Chris Bingham.

Earnings tax, which funds a majority of Cincinnati’s city budget, can usually only be collected from people working within city limits.

During the pandemic, Gov. Mike DeWine signed an order allowing Ohio cities to collect the tax from people working remotely for local companies while living elsewhere.

RELATED: Remote workers want to stop paying city income taxes

That measure isn’t permanent, however. And if people don’t return to working in-person, inside city limits, the tax revenue they generated for local government will be lost.

Worst of all, from a local government’s point of view: The Ohio House and Senate are considering bills that would require cities to refund the remote workers who paid earnings tax during the pandemic.

“It would be absolutely devastating for a city like Cincinnati that is so dependent on the earnings tax,” said Councilmember David Mann, who chairs City Council’s budget and finance committee.

But Cincinnati would also have time to plan. Mann said he and his colleagues are ready to use American Rescue Plan money to fill the tax gap this year and next if necessary.

“It’s not like the money disappears the next day” if a new bill is passed, Mann said. “One of the things we did when we made estimates about how to use the stimulus money was to increase our contingency because of those issues.”

The city budget must be finalized and approved by the end of June.