Swine Flu at Church: Fear Not?

From the Washington Post-

Clay Morris, the Episcopal Church USA's program officer for worship and spirituality, said research shows that the practice of sharing the common cup at Eucharist generally carries a very low risk of infection. But the practice of dipping the wafer, called intinction, may carry a higher risk since fingers are also often dipped into the wine.

So far, the best and most faithful advice I've seen comes from Rev. Diana Holbert, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in East Dallas. Wednesday, she sent church members an email with these words of counsel:

"1. If you are coughing or sneezing, it's probably a good idea to stay home. Let us know and we'll send you a cassette tape of the service if you like!" says the pastor.

"2. If you are well, I encourage you to come together to worship and to pray for those who are sick or panicked."

She said she planned to preach this Sunday on the 23rd Psalm ("The Lord is my shepherd...") "Let's take a deeper look at what Psalm 23 has to say to us today. It may just be what the Doctor ordered," she wrote.

"Breathe peace, not germs."

More here-

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2009/04/swine_flu_at_church_fear_not.html?hpid=talkbox1