It's not everyday that I am accused of being irresponsible (though I
suppose I shouldn't be surprised if it happened more often!), so when a
colleague called me less-than-responsible recently, I took notice. My
irresponsibility had to do with not having a plan for flu prevention in
the parish. (You know where this is going don't you?) So, in an effort
to not just be irresponsible, but more importantly to make sure we are
on the same page and doing what will be helpful to hopefully prevent any
sickness in the parish, here are some thoughts.
As one community of faith noted, we are in the midst of what is considered one of the worst years for flu transmission and a virulent strain at that. I do not want to sound alarmist and demand that we close church or quarantine people. However, I think that common sense and the St. Francis approach of people doing what makes sense to and for them is a natural way to proceed. As in so many avenues of life, there is no cookie-cutter way that demands conformity. There are many ways to co-exist.
So, some things to consider:
1. If you are coughing, sneezing, or feeling any symptoms of illness, resting and staying away from public gatherings is probably not a bad choice.
2. Washing and hand sanitizing is doubly important at this time of year.
Regarding the liturgy and our time together on Sundays, here are some further thoughts:
1. With the possibility of contamination, the common communion cup, may be a risk to some. As we have stated before, there are many ways to commune, and they are all valid. Consider:
a. You can take the bread and drink from the cup.
b. You can take the bread and intinct (dip) the bread in the cup.
c. You can take the bread and acknowledge the cup with the words of promise but you do not consume any wine.
d. You can take the bread and kiss the cup and hear the words of promise but not drink any wine.
e. You can take the bread and forgo the wine altogether.
Again, what you are comfortable with and what makes sense to you is the important thing, and we honor all ways of receiving communion. Christ is the host of the meal, and as many ways as people can imagine communing, so too can Christ come.
2. Regarding the sharing of the Peace, you may want to alter the way you share and honor what other people are comfortable doing. Here are some ways to share the peace:
a. With a handshake and the words of promise
b. With a hug ATWOP
c. By bowing toward another person ATWOP
d. You can visually acknowledge another and offer the Indian "Namaste" (the God in me honors the God in you).
Similarly to communion, there is no one way of sharing the peace that is demanded. Indeed, Christ's peace comes to us, perhaps, in the very moment that we think about sharing it with another?!
3. We do have Purell bottles in the entry way of both churches and in the sacristy of the churches. Please avail yourself of this cleanser as needed.
I hope and pray that we all stay healthy during this season when we can be so prone to illness and at a time when a particular bug is such a threat. At present, I do not know of anyone in our community who has the flu. If, God forbid, you were to get sick, please let me know. There is a cadre of individuals who are more than happy to help with meals, etc. if there is a particular need. It is at times like these that sensitivity to others and their needs is obviously a part of our religious practice. Honoring the many ways to be active and present in worship is, itself, honored. Thank you.
The adage, "Better to be safe than sorry," comes to mind at this time. May you all be safe, and may none of us be sorry this season.
Blessings,
Mark
As one community of faith noted, we are in the midst of what is considered one of the worst years for flu transmission and a virulent strain at that. I do not want to sound alarmist and demand that we close church or quarantine people. However, I think that common sense and the St. Francis approach of people doing what makes sense to and for them is a natural way to proceed. As in so many avenues of life, there is no cookie-cutter way that demands conformity. There are many ways to co-exist.
So, some things to consider:
1. If you are coughing, sneezing, or feeling any symptoms of illness, resting and staying away from public gatherings is probably not a bad choice.
2. Washing and hand sanitizing is doubly important at this time of year.
Regarding the liturgy and our time together on Sundays, here are some further thoughts:
1. With the possibility of contamination, the common communion cup, may be a risk to some. As we have stated before, there are many ways to commune, and they are all valid. Consider:
a. You can take the bread and drink from the cup.
b. You can take the bread and intinct (dip) the bread in the cup.
c. You can take the bread and acknowledge the cup with the words of promise but you do not consume any wine.
d. You can take the bread and kiss the cup and hear the words of promise but not drink any wine.
e. You can take the bread and forgo the wine altogether.
Again, what you are comfortable with and what makes sense to you is the important thing, and we honor all ways of receiving communion. Christ is the host of the meal, and as many ways as people can imagine communing, so too can Christ come.
2. Regarding the sharing of the Peace, you may want to alter the way you share and honor what other people are comfortable doing. Here are some ways to share the peace:
a. With a handshake and the words of promise
b. With a hug ATWOP
c. By bowing toward another person ATWOP
d. You can visually acknowledge another and offer the Indian "Namaste" (the God in me honors the God in you).
Similarly to communion, there is no one way of sharing the peace that is demanded. Indeed, Christ's peace comes to us, perhaps, in the very moment that we think about sharing it with another?!
3. We do have Purell bottles in the entry way of both churches and in the sacristy of the churches. Please avail yourself of this cleanser as needed.
I hope and pray that we all stay healthy during this season when we can be so prone to illness and at a time when a particular bug is such a threat. At present, I do not know of anyone in our community who has the flu. If, God forbid, you were to get sick, please let me know. There is a cadre of individuals who are more than happy to help with meals, etc. if there is a particular need. It is at times like these that sensitivity to others and their needs is obviously a part of our religious practice. Honoring the many ways to be active and present in worship is, itself, honored. Thank you.
The adage, "Better to be safe than sorry," comes to mind at this time. May you all be safe, and may none of us be sorry this season.
Blessings,
Mark
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