Flu Ministry
What might congregations do in response to H1N1? Take precautions, perhaps. Serve the community, of course. But, practically speaking, what might we do?
County health officials sent our congregation — and presumably all in the region — a letter a few weeks ago regarding H1N1. They suggested that communion from a common cup be stopped, and that the passing of the peace be altered so that it did not necessitate hand shakes or hugs. Now you could read that two ways: 1) what in the world is the government doing telling us how to practice our religion or, 2) isn’t that wonderful that the county cares so much for its citizens it suggests ways to stay healthy, even in church.
Before I arrived in Hallock, the congregation made a few announcements in worship to suggest that people might want to welcome their neighbor with a friendly “hello” and a smile rather than a hand shake. A few weeks later, I’m not sure the message stuck as every person shook my hand heading out the door last Sunday — or my leadership was so bad that they wanted to infect me and get rid of me quick!
Perhaps all this H1N1 worry gets into culture of fear issues — homeland security threat level raised to burnt orange — or, perhaps it is a real health concern that we should take completely seriously. Since, in my lifetime I do not remember any flu scare such as this, I’m willing to take things quite seriously. Even more so, I’m willing to spread the word.
I’m all for action, but with H1N1, it seems the best I can do is sneeze into my elbow and wash my hands often. I’m even willing to use that goopy hand sanitizer from time to time. And yes, I can help spread the word (and shutdown folks overreacting). But, other than that, it seems there’s nothing to do. Which is frustrating. So I just wrote a blog post about it. Now I’m off to serve my country and…. wash my hands.
image by Marcos Santos
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I’ve always struggled with this issue, even before H1N1. If I’ve been sick and am leading worship, I will usually make a “public service announcement” about why I won’t be shaking hands or giving hugs after worship. But otherwise, I feel strange making a blanket policy for church members. Public health officials have repeatedly stressed that H1N1 is (for most people) much like the regular flu, and we don’t abandon passing the peace, etc. from Oct-March normally. (And yet, these same public health officials seeking to “reassure” us about this persist in sending out special instructions for it). I think some of it is our “fear culture”–obviously, theologically speaking, we should not buy into this, yet at the same time, we do need to be responsible. It’s a tough balance.
Our pastor has asked us to refrain from our usual “joyous” peace-giving (lots of running around, hugs & such) for a few weeks since we have a significant number of members that are high-risk (immune deficiency, pregnancy, lots of kids from different schools, etc.). I’m making the kids wash their hands before Sunday School. And we have bottles of Purel in every pew now. Otherwise, continue as usual.
She makes an announcement as church begins, and we’re still welcoming to newcomers, and hanging out afterwards at coffee hour, and (it seems nothing short of physical divine intervention can stop it) hugging goes on during the peace.
But, we don’t use a common cup in usual services – we always use the trays with mini-cups – so that makes a difference.
Churches should check out this article before they ban hand-shaking. Perhaps they should just start sending sick congregants home.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/24/hand.washing.helpful/index.html
Love it, Rebekah. Thanks for the link!
there was a study done a few years ago about communion and the dirtiest way is passing plates. the cleanest is a common cup, with wine, if the cup is gold or silver. something about the properties of the metal, the alcohol, and the tradition of wiping the cup with a towel.