H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations

The time has come for all of us to consider our place of worship and our faith community in regards to the H1N1 (swine) flu. If you click on title you will go to the federal governments guidelines for faith communities in regards to the H1N1 flu. Some states are already implementing guidelines for their state's faith communities. I am unaware of any guidelines issued by the State of Texas.

Communion can be an issue when a common cup is used. Precautions may need to be taken. Passing whole loaves of bread from which a piece is broken can also be a problem if people need to grasp the loaf to break off a piece. My church being Baptist does not use a common cup or loaves of bread usually. Nowadays, we use individual plastic cups that hold only a thimbleful of grape juice (no wine in a Baptist church), and tiny squares of compressed "bread". Those that prepare the wafers and cups must be mindful of their own health. Hand washing is still the best preventative.

I think the biggest issue for worshipers of all faiths is the closeness to a great many people. Most worship services bring people into close proximity. The flu virus can be easily passed in such an environment. The individual must be aware that "he is his brother's keeper" and refrain from attending when the individual feels the least bit unwell. Church leaders can remind their congregation of this obligation.

Wearing a mask is not particularly effective to prevent flu unless it is worn by someone who has the flu. Part of the problem is that masks lead to a false sense of security and a failure to wash your hands as frequently as you should. Hand washing is the number one preventative.

In my own church, great store is place on shaking hands with those around you at the beginning of the service. This is considered a way to promote fellowship. Handshaking is an ideal way to promote the incidence of the flu. I think greeting others with some phase such as "Peace be unto you" is far better.

If some form of greeting is wanted for newcomers to the place of worship. I suggest using healthy seniors as greeters. People over 65 are less susceptible to the flu and well-suited to greet both members and newcomers. Of course, anyone who has had the flu and recovered fully would be an ideal greeter.

The younger clergy need to be mindful of their own health. Standing at the door shaking hands with congregants as the leave is not the best idea now. Places of worship do not need their leaders in the hospital. The worshipers should understand the substitution of an older person to bid them farewell.

The H1N1 flu has not proved as dangerous as first feared, but it should not be ignored. Seasonal flu is not all that pleasant either. Get vaccinated and take reasonable precautions, so that we all can worship in good health.

H1N1 flu virus by CDC

H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations

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Easter Alone

I chose not to go to church on Easter Sunday, even though, I am a born again Christian. I belong to a large church whose services have become a farce. As one of my friends told me after attending one of the three Easter services, "We need to pray for the hearing of those who attended." The music is so loud that it actually hurts. The words of the music are unintelligible in the din. Ninety percent of the music is new with the same forgettable lyrics and melody. All in all, Easter services are uncomfortable experiences.

I did think about attending a small church in my neighborhood, but stayed home instead. I have long had mixed feelings about corporate worship. I know that these services reach people, bring them to God. However, I find them to often to be mass entertainment events. Perhaps, that is necessary in the light of our modern society. I don't know. I do know that we must not let corporate worship replace are own individual witness.

I don't mean buttonholing some poor soul and haranguing them about God. No, I mean leading your life so that it is a model of God's love. Not that I do that. I pray about my failings, but have trouble changing. I don't always give to those that ask. I seldom turn the other cheek.

Love God, love your neighbor as yourself, Christ's command. I even have trouble loving God as I struggle to find money to buy groceries, to pay the doctor, to fix my car. How can God make things so difficult? I suspect that these things happen because of God's larger plan, but would it hurt God to bestow a small blessing on me? I pray and continue on. I hope that someday I will have a glimmer of understanding.

And has God really paid attention to the kind of neighbors I have? Drunken college students, urinating bar patrons? How lovable are they? How about the man that let his dogs run and they killed my cat? I received an answer on that one. The man paid part of my vet's fees when Abner died of a crushed chest from his dog's bite. The money was not the answer.

A short time after Abner died the man approached me. "I'm going to prison. My brother will take the dogs, but I have my mother's cat. I can't find anyone to take her. Will you?"

I wanted to say no. Why should I solve his problem? Let him suffer the consequences of his actions. I had trouble meeting my expenses now. I did not need an elderly cat.

"I will take care of her while you are in prison," I heard myself say. With that I became the owner of an elderly Persian cat. You notice I said owner. The man is out of jail after serving more than two years in jail, but he doesn't have a place for the cat. I am sure she is mine forever.

I can only hope that I did a little of God's will when I took the cat. Maybe that is the answer. We model Christ best, not in grand gestures, but in simple, unthinking, kindnesses to others.

Photo by eva101