From the Pastor

November 2009

Nobody should ever have to feel afraid of fully participating in the worship life of the church, but these days, many of us do. News reports tell us that the “second wave” of the H1N1 virus is upon us. The death this week of young Evan Frustaglio, the 13 year old hockey player, seems to have struck fear into the hearts of many who were
previously indifferent about the value of flu vaccinations.

The practices of church have recently come under particular scrutiny because practices that promote community are also practices that help transmit viruses – practices like human touch, eating and drinking. Religious commu-nity at its most healthy is an intimate thing promoting trust, cooperation, affinity, and friendship. Aside from the theological symbolism of Holy Communion and the Sharing of the Peace, these practices actually help form our community of faith. Yet, these very practices are also making many afraid of contracting a virus that could make them sick.

One way to deal with this fear is to cut out practices that might transmit a virus. We can stop shaking hands. We can stop drinking and eating together in a manner that might spread the virus. Alternatively, the other option is to say “damn the torpedoes, these are the practices of the tradition of my faith and I will not compromise.” Neither attitude, however, is particularly helpful.

I actually think that this pandemic offers us the opportunity to ask questions about our practices and to re-evaluate them. For example, what is the primary sacramental value of Holy Communion? Is it, as taught in the Didache during the first century of Christianity, that “as grains of wheat once dispersed over the hills are brought together to became one loaf, so may [the] Church be brought together from the ends of the earth,” thus highlighting the oneness of the loaf, the cup, and the community? Or is it, as Luther taught in the Small Catechism, that believing the words “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin” is key, because “where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation,” thus focusing on the individual?
The point is not to choose one theologically correct way of partaking of Holy Communion, but to encourage us to consider our practices, their biblical and theological foundations, and determine what is best for us today given our times and circumstances.

I am not recommending today any particular change in our practice, but I would like to suggest a few assumptions upon which I hope we can agree as we consider how to practice our faith at this time.

Nobody should be afraid to fully participate in the worship life of our church.
Everybody has the right to choose how and to what extent they will participate.
Religious practices of human touch, eating and drinking should be encouraged, not feared.

The hands we touch, and the hands that handle the vessels from which we eat and drink, will be washed and clean.

In the meantime, wash your hands first thing when you arrive at church. Use the antibacterial gel scattered throughout the church. Stay home if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms. Do not dip your fingers in the baptismal font. Do not dip your bread in the common cup. Be creative when sharing the peace (the “fist pump” might be fun to try), and respect those who would rather not shake hands.

In these ways, I believe that we will all be able to carry on our faith traditions with joy and without fear. Hope to see you at church on Sunday.

Peace,
Pastor Brian