As the Covid 19 virus continues to spread around the globe, it is my desire to keep everyone as safe as possible. In my life, I worked as a nurse for 12 years. I also have served as a pastor at churches in Central Square, New York and Carlinville, Illinois. I am also a mom of three.
Yes, you should go to church. However, if you are sick, stay home (Jesus will understand and so will your pastor). Pastors, the rules apply to you as well.
I have put together guidelines for communion.
• Intinction is not recommended due to the spread of germs from the common cup
• Persons preparing communion should wash hands prior to preparation and wear disposable gloves.
• Prior to the start of service, the pastor and servers should wash hands (If possible, prior to serving the elements of communion the pastor and servers should wash hands with soap and water.)
• Before serving, pastor and servers should use 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Do you want to pass the trays containing communion elements or the offering plates? Think about germs and ways not to spread them.
Think about your congregation. Many of us have older folks in worship and we want to keep them well. Also consider your cancer patients, transplant patients, diabetics, etc. Serve communion as if your mom or dad were in your pews. We might need to be a little bit creative in how we share the Lord’s Supper, and it probably is going to take a little extra time than normal, but if it keeps the people we have been called to serve healthy, it is worth it.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Meg Biddle, M.Div, LPN
Associate Coordinator, MinistrElife
As the Covid 19 virus continues to spread around the globe, it is my desire to keep everyone as safe as possible. In my life, I worked as a nurse for 12 years. I also have served as a pastor at churches in Central Square, New York and Carlinville, Illinois. I am also a mom of three.
Yes, you should go to church. However, if you are sick, stay home (Jesus will understand and so will your pastor). Pastors, the rules apply to you as well.
I have put together guidelines for communion.
• Intinction is not recommended due to the spread of germs from the common cup
• Persons preparing communion should wash hands prior to preparation and wear disposable gloves.
• Prior to the start of service, the pastor and servers should wash hands (If possible, prior to serving the elements of communion the pastor and servers should wash hands with soap and water.)
• Before serving, pastor and servers should use 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Do you want to pass the trays containing communion elements or the offering plates? Think about germs and ways not to spread them.
Think about your congregation. Many of us have older folks in worship and we want to keep them well. Also consider your cancer patients, transplant patients, diabetics, etc. Serve communion as if your mom or dad were in your pews. We might need to be a little bit creative in how we share the Lord’s Supper, and it probably is going to take a little extra time than normal, but if it keeps the people we have been called to serve healthy, it is worth it.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Meg Biddle, M.Div, LPN
Associate Coordinator, MinistrElife