Your Worship or Your Health - Part 2
Yesterday I introduced the background to the considerations about how, if at all, to modify our worship practices in light of concerns about the seasonal flu and the newer threat from the H1N1 virus. Today we consider the practice of exchanging the peace of Christ with one another after the liturgy of the Word and just bvefore the Offertory.
With respect to the peace, the question becomes: What benign social custom can we substitute for handshakes, kisses and hugs? The first two involve the aforementioned hands and mouths, and the latter involves close personal contact.
Welcome to my world. With considerable reflection and prayer, and in consultation with others, I have thought it wiser to reframe the question from “How do we change what we are doing to minimize risks of the flu?” to “How can we continue to provide a worship environment in which the members of our congregation and our guests can at the same time freely worship God and feel safe?”
With this question in mind, I have concluded that the following guidelines are the most prudent and the most faithful for this congregation:
The Peace. At least twice a year, and on other occasions as well, we at Trinity are accustomed to welcoming members of other faiths for whom it is improper for a person of one sex to touch a non-family member from the opposite sex. Our practice at these times is that if the person you are about to greet does not offer to reach out to touch you, you should not reach out to touch them. In this circumstance, a simple folding of the hands and a bow, a smile and a “The Lord’s Peace be with you” or some similar non-contact greeting will do just fine. Some have suggested fist bumps. It has also been suggested that a simple hug may be the most hygienic in that the hands only touch the other person’s clothing. Or if some people want to continue to embrace, that is up to them.
So, to summarize, two rules of thumb: Follow the other person’s lead, and then do what seems appropriate for the two of you. It may be awkward for a couple of weeks, but remember that we start from the premise that we are there as brothers and sisters in Christ, worshipping in love.
Tomorrow we will take a look at practices around communion at the Lord's table.
Don't Forget: TONIGHT: THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR, BENEFIT PERFORMANCE. NO ADMISSION CHARGE - FREE WILL OFFERING TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE VOICE FOR LIFE PROGRAM WITH THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR.
Have a blessed day. Your brother in Christ, Don+
With respect to the peace, the question becomes: What benign social custom can we substitute for handshakes, kisses and hugs? The first two involve the aforementioned hands and mouths, and the latter involves close personal contact.
Welcome to my world. With considerable reflection and prayer, and in consultation with others, I have thought it wiser to reframe the question from “How do we change what we are doing to minimize risks of the flu?” to “How can we continue to provide a worship environment in which the members of our congregation and our guests can at the same time freely worship God and feel safe?”
With this question in mind, I have concluded that the following guidelines are the most prudent and the most faithful for this congregation:
The Peace. At least twice a year, and on other occasions as well, we at Trinity are accustomed to welcoming members of other faiths for whom it is improper for a person of one sex to touch a non-family member from the opposite sex. Our practice at these times is that if the person you are about to greet does not offer to reach out to touch you, you should not reach out to touch them. In this circumstance, a simple folding of the hands and a bow, a smile and a “The Lord’s Peace be with you” or some similar non-contact greeting will do just fine. Some have suggested fist bumps. It has also been suggested that a simple hug may be the most hygienic in that the hands only touch the other person’s clothing. Or if some people want to continue to embrace, that is up to them.
So, to summarize, two rules of thumb: Follow the other person’s lead, and then do what seems appropriate for the two of you. It may be awkward for a couple of weeks, but remember that we start from the premise that we are there as brothers and sisters in Christ, worshipping in love.
Tomorrow we will take a look at practices around communion at the Lord's table.
Don't Forget: TONIGHT: THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR, BENEFIT PERFORMANCE. NO ADMISSION CHARGE - FREE WILL OFFERING TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE VOICE FOR LIFE PROGRAM WITH THE AFRICAN CHILDREN'S CHOIR.
Have a blessed day. Your brother in Christ, Don+
posted by Don+ @ 12:19 AM
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