May 2, 2009
Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter,
In response to public concerns about the swine flu, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) issued a guide for congregations -- "Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns." The church also provided resources to help individuals and families safeguard against influenza.
Right now congregations are encouraged to use "common sense and intentional action with regard to preventing the spread of pathogens while continuing to gather around the means of grace." It is not necessary to cancel worship at this time. Nor at this time do we plan to eliminate the passing of the peace. Individuals are invited to pass the peace through a smile or a nod if that makes them more comfortable. Individuals may also wish to carry travel-size hand sanitizer bottles to worship to use after the passing of the peace. In addition, we will have hand sanitizer available in the back of the church for public use.
We also want you to know that our pastor and communion servers regularly sanitize their hands in the sacristy before distributing the elements of Holy Communion. When the council meets on May 10th we will discuss the ELCA document “Congregational Planning for Flu Pandemic.”
Whether this outbreak spreads widely or not, it is an occasion for individuals, families, and congregations to take basic steps of preparedness. Members are encouraged to take reasonable measures to ready themselves. See the below links for some planning checklists and resources.
From the office of our presiding Bishop Mark Hanson: “Especially in times of need we are reminded that Jesus Christ is God’s living bread come down from heaven for the life of the world. During this time of anxiety around a new form of influenza, the Sunday assembly of Christians around word and sacrament is a particularly important sign of resurrection hope in the midst of fear and trouble. We taste and see the Risen Christ’s presence in the community gathered around word and meal. In this eucharistic assembly we pray for the needs of a suffering world, and from this eucharistic assembly we are sent to care for all our neighbors who are sick, hurt, and hungry.”
Be well,
Rev. Katherine Olson
Links:
ELCA news release: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4124
Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns: http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx
Pandemic Flu: Faithful Preparation for Pandemic: http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response/Ongoing-Responses/Pandemic-Flu.aspx
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