Coronavirus and Church

Over the last few days I’ve been reflecting on the message to send to all of you, as have all on my Episcopal Clergy colleagues. The Rev. Richard Helmer shared his message to Our Savior, Mill Valley yesterday, and I found it so thorough and thoughtful, I share now  it directly with you. Like Our Savior, St. Paul’s has hand sanitizers in the Narthex, up at the altar and may soon have it elsewhere too:

Dear Friends in Christ:

I am currently in conversation with colleagues and parish leadership about Church of Our Saviour’s response to growing concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. We are all monitoring the advice of local health officials, the CDC, and advice given to local schools. I encourage you to also monitor reliable sources like these for information on preparing yourselves and your families for a potential coronavirus outbreak.

Yesterday, Episcopal Relief and Development released this helpful summary of information and recommendations on coronavirus for faith communities.

What are we doing right now at Church of Our Saviour?

I am working with our parish leadership on a simple protocol we will follow if the coronavirus starts spreading in local communities.

During worship at church services, if you have any concerns, you may refrain from receiving from the chalice during communion. You may indicate you do not wish to receive from the chalice at any time by simply crossing your arms across your chest.

Please also be mindful of our members who, for health reasons, may need to refrain from close contact during the peace.

Starting this Sunday, hand sanitizer will be readily available in the Narthex, and we encourage you to use it or wash your hands with soap and water in one of the bathrooms before entering services. The altar party and I will continue to wash our hands prior to the service and use hand sanitizer right before preparing communion.

How can I protect myself while at Church?

Use the same precautions you would ordinarily while out and about during flu and cold season:

Wash your hands regularly during the day.
Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose, and eyes.
Cough and sneeze into tissues or your elbow, and dispose of tissues properly.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you cannot wash your hands regularly.
Remain home if you are sick or have a fever.
Avoid close personal contact if you are feeling ill.

How safe is sipping wine from the chalice?

Research on this question has been conducted for over a century. The available scientific information to date indicates that the risk of spreading infection through the common communion cup among healthy members of the congregation is quite low. That said, please keep in mind:

Intinction — the practice of dipping the bread in the cup — is not considered a safer practice than sipping from the chalice because our hands often can carry more germs than our lips.
If you are feeling at all sick or ill, you are encouraged to refrain from contact with the chalice.
If you are at all concerned about your health, you are also welcome to refrain from contact with the chalice.
Remember that, after ancient tradition, receiving the bread or the wine or both is considered full communion.

What will we do for church if coronavirus starts to spread locally?

The office, our Vestry leadership, and I will continue to monitor the overall community health situation closely, and we will adjust our worship practices if necessary and notify the community promptly about any changes to best protect the health of all our members.

We will also continue to work to ensure the best pastoral care possible for all of our members now, and in the event of an outbreak.

Be in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns, and please continue to pray for all those who labor to protect public health in this community and around the world.

With love to all of you,

Br. Richard Edward+

And thank you, my good colleague Richard!