Safety & Encouragements from our Bishops about Coronavirus
Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,
As you are aware, federal health officials have encouraged churches, businesses, schools, and hospitals to begin making preparation for the possible spreading of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Yesterday, in response to this news, our Bishops issued a pastoral letter to the clergy encouraging a number of safe, common sense practices for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and they have asked for us to share this information with our congregations. In general, these practices are similar to the precautions we might take in response to an aggressive flu season: wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, keep a safe distance, and if you feel ill, seek help.
At St. Matt's, your Clergy and Lay Leaders will follow all of these safety precautions, and we ask that you do the same. Before you read the encouragements from our Bishops, I have a few important things to share with you. What follows are some common questions I hear and some important information, please take a few minutes to read it.
First, the science has long since supported the fact that communion from the Common Cup is a safe and practical way to receive the wine at communion. There have been many studies over the last 40 years, particularly since the AIDS crisis, that have proven that there is no documented transmission of illness or disease from our shared communion cup. And as long as we are careful about using clean cloths, cleaning the silver in between services, and wiping the cup in between communicants, there is no reason for concern if you drink wine from the chalice at communion. Our Altar Guild and Eucharistic Ministers have all been trained in these methods and I can assure you that they take the utmost care.
Second, many people think they are safer from germs if they intinct (dip the host into the wine). This is actually not true. Your hands, and the hands of others, carry many more germs than the chalice, so when you dip your hand into the cup, you actually increase the possibility that there is transmission of an illness. Our Bishops suggest that we avoid intinction for the moment, and as your Priest, I believe this is the wisest course of action. While we can be sure that all our liturgical ministers are washing their hands, we cannot enforce that for the entire congregation. So, for the moment, we will suspend intinction and ask that you either drink from the common cup or see below.
Third, if you are still worried about receiving the wine at communion, you may choose just to receive the bread. Whether it's a Sunday when we have bread baked or use wafers, our belief is that Jesus is fully present in both the bread and wine. So, if you only receive communion in one kind (meaning, you only receive the bread or the wine), you have still participated in the fullness of the Sacrament. If you are worried or uncomfortable drinking from the common cup, please do feel free to just receive the bread at communion. Then wait, cross your arms as the chalice approaches you. It is an ancient custom of the church to acknowledge the chalice as it passes by looking at it, and this is a perfectly appropriate and respectful way to participate.
Fourth, our Bishops are encouraging us not to hug or touch as we share the Peace of the Lord. I know this will be particularly challenging for this place - your hearts are all very big. And, for the foreseeable future, I need to agree with our Bishops. We should avoid hugging, touching, and contact.
Here's the most important thing: we will do everything we can to keep you safe. And there is no reason to worry right now in relation to our worship.
Here are the practices our Bishops are encouraging:
- Wash your hands frequently, using soap and water or an alcohol-based rub. All clergy and eucharistic ministers should use an alcohol-based rub before the distribution of the sacrament, both in the context of the liturgy or in visiting someone at home or in the hospital.
- Practice keeping a safe distance in social interactions. In general, maintain a distance of a few feet between you and others, particular those who are coughing, sneezing, or evidently ill.
- At the peace encourage parishioners to exchange the peace of the Lord without touching.
- Try to avoid intinction in receiving the Eucharist as fingers and hands carry viruses and other pathogens. Assure parishioners that receiving in only one kind (in this case, the bread) is a full and sufficient participation in the sacrament.
- Practice respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing; discard tissues immediately in closed bins.
- Avoid shaking hands at the doorway after the service and other physical greetings.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Any parishes involved in ministries in which food is served (including coffee hour!) should give particular attention to The WHO recommendations regarding food safety.
- Needless to say, we should send a clear message that if anyone feels ill or unwell, they should, as a general rule, seek medical care immediately and not attend parish events.
- Related to this, if someone who is elderly or lives alone does not appear at church in what would otherwise be a regular function, create systems for wellness checks.
To this I would add two things: We have structures in place for all of these things including pastoral care. And if you are ill, please do be in touch with me so that we can help.
While this may seem like a time to be anxious, I want to assure you that we already take every precaution with safety and hygiene. And we will redouble our efforts to be sure that we keep the congregation as safe. The CDC is providing daily updates on their website for the general public that will answer many of your questions. We will continue to monitor these updates as well and make any appropriate adjustments. Please keep in mind that all of this is preventative, and there is no reason for worry in the present moment. We are resurrection people, people of hope. And our God consistently says to us, in the person of Jesus Christ, "Do not be afraid."
Please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns, I'd be happy to talk more. And please keep everyone who is affected by this disease in your prayers. Please know that you are all in my prayers and that we are in the prayers of our Bishops. Below is a prayer shared by our Bishops yesterday. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
Tags: Worship