staying healthy at All Souls during flu season
A regular flu season is bad enough, but this year H1N1 (swine flu) continues to spread internationally and affect our local community. Beside practicing good individual preventative hygiene, as a congregation we're taking some precautions as well to limit the spread of the virus. We'll continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our response as needed. Meanwhile, wash your hands frequently and make liberal use of the hand-sanitizers we've placed around the church, as that's our first line of defense.
How do I know if I should stay home from church?
If you have a fever and/or signs of respiratory illness, please stay home. We'll gladly provide healing prayer and Communion at your house. The Center for Disease Control advises avoiding the workplace or social gatherings until after being symptom-free for hours 24 without using fever-reducers, or until seven days following the onset of symptoms, whichever is later. If someone in your home is diagnosed with H1N1 flu, you should contact your medical provider for guidance. As long as you remain symptom-free, however, we encourage you to attend services and programs at All Souls.
Do the same guidelines apply to children?
Even outside of flu season we have to be more careful with our childcare. So as always, infants and children who have a fever and/or signs of respiratory or other illness are not allowed in the Nursery, Children’s Worship, midweek programs, or any childcare setting at All Souls. We're taking extra care to make sure we follow our regular procedures to disinfect and clean toys and furniture in the childcare areas during this time of elevated risk.
Is it safe to receive Communion?
The risk of spreading germs by sharing the common cup at Communion is generally low. Celebrants and other members of the altar party wash their hands prior to the service, and use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer before and after Communion. As an added precaution, though, even if you are feeling well, please allow the chalicers to guide the cup to your mouth unaided. If you've reason to believe you're ill, please decline to partake of the cup altogether.
Is intinction safer than drinking from the chalice?
No. In fact, intinction (dipping the bread into the wine) actually increases the risk for everyone. It may seem counter-intuitive, but the research is pretty clear. There are way more germs on your hands than on your lips. They inevitably end up in the wine, either directly from your fingers or indirectly via the bread. Please either drink from the chalice or don't partake at all.
Is it safe to exchange the peace?
With the above guidelines in mind, you may wish to forgo shaking hands during the peace. As always, though, you may simply speak the peace without making physical contact.
Most importantly, though, join us in prayer. Pray for wise decision-making by those who have influence over how our local communities, the nation, and the world respond to this health concern; for swift recovery for those who are ill; for protection for those at high risk of exposure to the virus; and for God’s surpassing peace for those who are ill-at-ease and anxious about the situation.
