Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,
As you know, we are receiving daily updates from federal health officials regarding the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19. I am writing to provide you with information and sensible practices, in hopes of limiting the spread of this virus.
During this time, the following adaptations in our worship should be implemented. These adaptations are based on advice from a variety of sources from Episcopal Relief and Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Indiana State Department of Health, and Mayo Clinic.
Episcopal Relief & Development is updating this webpage with comprehensive resources about the virus, its cause and simple measures for its prevention. Among the most important:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, including after coughing, sneezing, handling diapers, preparing food or using the bathroom.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Stay home when you feel sick.
So that we can play our part in limiting the spread of an outbreak if it occurs in our region, I suggest that our faith communities consider the following temporary amendments to our liturgical and community practices:
Clergy and Eucharistic ministers can use hand sanitizer visibly when celebrating the Eucharist or distributing the elements and have it available for worshippers to use.
Ask worshippers to avoid intinction (the dipping of the host or bread into the chalice).
Use metal chalices rather than ceramic.
Remember that the Eucharist is complete when only one element (in this case, the bread) is received.
Replace hugs and handshakes at the peace with waves, elbow bumps, bows, or peace signs.
Pray for those who are ill and encourage them to stay home.
Remind coffee hour and feeding program volunteers to wash their hands and handle food with utensils or food safety gloves.
The Missioners and I are monitoring this on a daily basis. If the Indiana State Department of Health reports confirmed cases of the virus in Indiana, we will communicate quickly to clergy and lay leaders with any additional recommendations they may suggest.
Our role as Christians, and particularly for those of us called to leadership in the church, is to help alleviate fear and anxiety with accurate information and support. I want to thank Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows for the bulk of this text and her permission to share it with you. I also want to thank you for your good work in attending to these suggestions and to commend to your prayer all those directly addressing the consequences of this virus.
Blessings these Lenten days,
The Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana