Additional Measures
We can never eliminate the risk, but we can take necessary steps to reduce our exposure and slow the spread of the virus. The good news is that COVID 19 is easy to kill or inoculate with available household cleaners. Regularly washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and not just COVID19. We are testing sanitizing solutions for the pews and “high touch” areas of the sanctuary and Sumida Hall. We are having to change our communion process to ensure health and safety as well as take other temporary measures to reduce our risk of exposure.
As we adapt to these changes let us hold one another in prayer. We are God’s people, called to love (aloha) and care (mālama) for one another and those who see mercy among us in God’s house. All will be well. Our practices are changing and life can change in an instant, but God’s grace and mercy abide.
In addition to following the advice and recommendation of health officials as mentioned above, the following additional steps are essential to mālama our ʻohana and our visitors.
As of Friday 3/13/2020, Health officials are not calling for worship or other gatherings to cease, but we are being asked to be mindful about how we gather and when we do. Until advised or instructed otherwise, all church events such as Outreach Dinners, AA/12 Step group meetings, Lenten Souper Tuesday suppers, Bible study, hall rentals, and other activities on our campus will continue as scheduled. If there is a declared health emergency and Kamaʻaina Kids and Kuakini are directed to suspend operations, or temporarily close, we will also close the church offices and consult with the Bishop’s office regarding next steps including Sunday worship. We will post this notice on our website, via social media, and email blast.
This is an unsettling time and many will be afraid and confused. To that end, I will share with you any updates or information I receive from health officials and the Office of the Bishop. We must live out of preparation and education and not out of fear. We are God’s people, called to mālama. We should not run and hide, but be a light, and as we are able, help others.
As we adapt to these changes let us hold one another in prayer. We are God’s people, called to love (aloha) and care (mālama) for one another and those who see mercy among us in God’s house. All will be well. Our practices are changing and life can change in an instant, but God’s grace and mercy abide.
In addition to following the advice and recommendation of health officials as mentioned above, the following additional steps are essential to mālama our ʻohana and our visitors.
- If you have a cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay at home. Do not come to church.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your hands and face.
- The sanctuary pews, altars, counters, tables, lectern, pulpit, and other “hard surfaces”, as well as those in Sumida Hall, will be cleaned and sanitized before worship on Sunday. Commercial sanitizing wipes are in very short supply. Until then, a 1% bleach solution has also been shown to be effective in killing the COVID-19 along with Influenza (flu) viruses.
- At the Baptismal Font- Some scientists feel that the virus could be spread through the dipping of hands in the baptismal font. For now, and until we know more, we will leave the font “dry” and discontinue the practice of dipping the hands in the water. Also, should there be any baptisms come Easter, we will use fresh water for each person.
- At the Peace: all physical contact should be discontinued. Many are already doing this. Practice bowing, making a prayerful sign to the other person, share eye contact with a loving expression and offer the Peace but do so without touching.
- Passing of the Offering plate: We will avoid passing the plate from hand-to-hand. The ushers will make sure anyone who wants to put an offering in can; as an alternative, we might consider “calabash style” and have the offering plates in one spot and people can come forward and put their offerings.
- Communion- While the common cup, properly administered, has scientifically been proven safer than intinction, health officials are concerned. For now, we must get into the habit of avoiding intinction and therefore we will be stopping the practice of intinction. Christ is full and present in the sacrament of the bread alone or the wine alone. The Bishop has offered a teaching on the subject of communion and it follows my letter below.
- Hand sanitizers- like the sanitizing wipes they are very hard to find on-online and in local retailers. Sanitizers of 70% alcohol or higher are recommended. We will have large bottles at the back of the church, near the font. We are also exploring ways we can make our own using >70% rubbing alcohol.
As of Friday 3/13/2020, Health officials are not calling for worship or other gatherings to cease, but we are being asked to be mindful about how we gather and when we do. Until advised or instructed otherwise, all church events such as Outreach Dinners, AA/12 Step group meetings, Lenten Souper Tuesday suppers, Bible study, hall rentals, and other activities on our campus will continue as scheduled. If there is a declared health emergency and Kamaʻaina Kids and Kuakini are directed to suspend operations, or temporarily close, we will also close the church offices and consult with the Bishop’s office regarding next steps including Sunday worship. We will post this notice on our website, via social media, and email blast.
This is an unsettling time and many will be afraid and confused. To that end, I will share with you any updates or information I receive from health officials and the Office of the Bishop. We must live out of preparation and education and not out of fear. We are God’s people, called to mālama. We should not run and hide, but be a light, and as we are able, help others.
