Bishop's Letter: Swine Flu Concerns

May 1, 2009

Dear colleagues,

I write to offer a word in response to concerns about Swine Flu and public gatherings, especially for worship. The most important encouragement you can give communicants is to be sensible and responsible. If one is feeling ill or experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is best to remain at home and inform your health care provider. The single most effective way to protect yourself and others from spreading any virus is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is very effective and I suggest that Eucharistic ministers use it after the Peace and before handling the elements at Communion. In some congregations it is already the practice to provide a pump dispenser for communicants on the way to the communion rail. Much current information holds that intinction spreads bacteria more readily than drinking from the common cup, as it allows so many hands near the chalice and the intincted host has been handled by the communicant. It is important to explain to communicants that the sacrament is complete and efficacious in one kind, and if one is concerned about either spreading or receiving an illness, it is perfectly appropriate to refrain from partaking of the wine.

The Diocese of Texas has prepared a Sunday pew sheet that you may find helpful; it can be accessed through this link: https://www.epicenter.org/images/edot/HurricaneSafety/swineflu_pewsheet.pdf.

This recent article at episcopallife online provides additional information: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_107136_ENG_HTM.htm.

With a non-anxious recognition of both the Swine Flu’s presence in this country and the concern people have about it, we may help keep it from being a distraction to our sacramental and community life as well as encourage responsible practices that will keep us all healthy.

Gratefully,

The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.
Bishop of Ohio