A Note on Health and Hygiene at Saint Stephen

Dear Friends in Christ,


In the midst of crisis, communities of faith like our own are powerful witnesses to God’s kingdom of life and love. When those crises center around the transmission of disease, we face a twofold responsibility: to witness to God’s compassion and to mitigate risks to those most vulnerable. In order to reduce the chance of risk and to alleviate anxiety, I would like to share the following recommendations to increase health and hygiene in our community.

• Stay home if you are ill, you suspect illness, or you have been exposed to someone with illness. Remember, older folks are more vulnerable to diseases like flu and COVID-19, so you will be doing us a kindness. If you are anxious about catching something, stay home. Nothing to worry about if you don’t go, and God’s love fills all creation.
• Wash your hands! Use warm water and soap. Lather your hands for 20 seconds and rinse and dry them thoroughly. This is by far the most effective practice in preventing transmission people-to-people.
• Because hands are the most likely sources of transmission, we will no longer encourage people to receive communion by intinction, or dipping the bread in the wine.
• Though this is counterintuitive, most experts agree that receiving communion by common cup is a more-hygienic way to receive the sacrament in both kinds. There have been zero reported cases of the transmission of disease through this method. If you feel uncomfortable receiving wine in this way, please rest assured that Jesus is fully present in either the bread or wine. You may bow to, kiss, or air-kiss the chalice if you would like.
• We will be sharing the peace without touching. A peace sign, bow, or some other gesture is just fine. The same goes for greeting the pastor on your way out the door. 
• If you are feeling anxious or would like to talk, please contact the pastor by email or by phone.

There is no cause to panic. Nor is there cause to seriously amend your way of life, unless later directed to do so by local authorities. We are a people of hope, and we consider science and medicine to be gifts from God. Let us join in prayer and care for those who suffer from illness in any way. God is a God of life, and we trust in the love that comes from God and from neighbor.


Faithfully yours,


Pastor Joe