Swine Flu: Archbishops' advice on sharing of Communion

In July 2009, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York wrote to Bishops in the Church of England recommending the suspension of the sharing of the chalice at communion. The Archbishops’ letter followed advice from the Department of Health not to share 'common vessels' for food or drink.

With an increase in the number of new cases of Swine Flu in the early Autumn, the Archbishops have written again to the College of Bishops affirming the earlier recommendation:

It remains important to encourage everyone to recognise that the Church has a responsibility to take public health considerations seriously and to ensure communication around the Church is good so that we don’t appear at sixes and sevens, and to remember that responsible practice in these areas is not primarily about protecting ourselves but about avoiding transmitting infection unwittingly to others. In the light of this rapidly changing situation, we do not believe this is the time to issue fresh advice.  We are keeping in regular contact with the Department of Health and will continue to consider all relevant information. We will review our own advice in a month’s time. Until then, we would encourage you to continue to show patience and to pray for all those affected.   +  Rowan Cantuar  +  Sentamu Ebor 30th October 2009

 

Following consultation and discussion with colleagues, the following arrangements for the distribution of communion at St Mary's remain in place:

• Communion will be given 'in one kind' only. This means that we will only distribute the bread. For the time being, we will not administer wine.

• Administrants of the bread will need to wash their hands thoroughly and use an alcohol-based spray/gel immediately before distribution.

• At the 10.00am service on Sundays, one person will communicate the choir at the High Altar and the celebrant will communicate the congregation. The person who communicates the choir will join the celebrant in washing their hands before the Prayer of Consecration and the application of alcohol gel.

• The server who assists in the ablutions will be asked to turn the pages of the order of service for the celebrant.

The sharing of the Peace is a matter for each church to decide individually. I am recommending that we do not share the Peace by shaking hands but greet each other verbally and with a smile.

At the end of services, I shall continue to greet people as they leave but will not be offended if you do not wish to shake hands.

With respect to service books, we will do all we can to mitigate the spread of the virus and alcohol gel will be available for sidepeople who wish to use it.

Further information may be found at:

• St Albans Diocese website

• Church of England website

This is not scaremongering. It is a response to the ongoing advice from our Archbishops and Bishop.

I ask you to pray for all those affected by this current pandemic, for the sick and those who care for them. We will, of course, endeavour to maintain services at St Mary's as normal. If it should prove necessary to change our schedule of services, information will be posted on this website as speedily as possible.

With good wishes

Revd Deborah Snowball

24th July 2009

Revised 8th November 2009