Message from Bishop Scarfe on worship practices and coronavirus
As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, causing the WHO to put it globally at its highest level of alert, we can be assured that there are common sense safeguards that we can use as a Church as we gathering together for worship.
Although the situation continues to develop, it is still feasible for us to continue to gather together in our congregations. Should that become less desirable, we can create alternative ways of gathering virtually for worship.
So, if you are healthy, continue to come to worship. If however, you or a family member is ill, please take the precaution of staying home. During the service, we can limit contact by practicing the following:
At the Peace, we don’t have to shake hands or hug (I read that a couple of professional football teams in England have stopped their bonding practice of handshakes before each training session! We can do the same). We can pass the peace verbally and with good eye contact, and a reverential bow.
At communion, it is appropriate to take the Eucharist in one kind (bread only) as a full communion. The most potentially infectious practice is actually intinction. Those fingers can accidentally touch the wine. Let the priest do the action and administer to you. In using the common cup, servers need to be especially attentive to wiping and turning the cup with every communicant.
Clergy and eucharistic servers need to be sure they both wash their hands and use anti-bacterial gel before administrating communion. Communicants might also wish to use their own hand sanitizers.
Along with all of these particular aspects that are part of our worshiping context, we are reminded to follow the general rules of hygiene and prevention suggested in the various CDC or WHO public notices. Obviously, we will continue to monitor our local situations, and heed the recommendations of our civic authorities. What follows are links to various such resources.
Handouts and printable posters from the CDC
Social media messaging for churches and organizations to share
Faith-based response to pandemics from Episcopal Relief and Development
Above all, remember to be at prayer for God’s intervention in our world as we have done for other diseases that we have faced in the human race’s battle with the unseen world of infections. Pray for those who are sick, and remember those who have died. Seek to be a person of Peace in a testing time, and take heed of God’s words through the prophet Isaiah about the importance of withdrawing the “pointing of the finger.” Pray for medical staff, and for the researchers developing a vaccine.
“Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (BCP, p 460)
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan Scarfe
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa