The Rector's Ramblings...September 24, 2009

Many of you may have already seen the information that the Diocese of North Carolina has put out about H1N1.  I found it to be helpful and presented in a calm and rational manner, and it called us to simply use some good old common sense such as staying home if you are feeling sick.  At this point we are able to continue to do things in the normal liturgical practice of the Episcopal Church for the passing of the peace and the administration of the bread and wine.

With that being said let me share a couple of thoughts with you.  If you feel better at this time in not shaking hands at the Peace, you can simply exchange the greeting with those around you.  When coming forward for communion you can receive by intinction, which is dipping the wafer into the chalice yourself or having the celebrant do that for you.  You also receive the full benefit of communion if you only receive in one kind, which means receiving only the wafer.

For those who desire to use them, we will provide large pump bottles of hand sanitizer in the Narthex, the East and West   Transepts, and in the Sacristy.   Hospitals have been doing this type of precautionary thing for some time, and we thought that it might be helpful for all attending worship at Good Shepherd.