By Doris Fleck The H1N1 Challenge How to Best Prepare Your Church for the Worst Situation
churches have a crucial role to play in the event of
a pandemic. The h1N1 virus is reminding us that
our role might come sooner rather than later. some
canadian churches are already taking action.
Canadians are known for being friendly. Sunday worship ser- vices across the country are no exception. People greet
each other with handshakes and hugs.
Many congregations “pass the peace.”
Christians celebrate the Lord’s Supper
by breaking bread together and many
drink from a common cup.
But this fall, parishioners have noticed subtle changes in the way they
gather. Hand sanitizers are springing up
everywhere. People are starting to nod or
wave “Hello.” At least one congregation
is considering transforming how it does
Communion by switching from a common chalice to tiny, individual cups.
When H1N1, a new strain of the
Influenza A virus (formerly known as
Swine Flu), caused a global outbreak this
spring, faith communities began taking
preventative measures.
But is this enough?
Not according to Tim Purvis. The
minister of Westview Presbyterian
Church in Toronto wants to see churches
across the country prepare to be on the
front lines if a virulent outbreak of
H1N1 occurs this winter.
Although most people who get
H1N1 don’t die, as of the end of September there were 425,000 cases worldwide
and more than 4,600 deaths since the flu
virus first appeared in Mexico in March.
In Canada, just over 12,000 cases have
been confirmed, with 78 deaths.
But the World Health Organization
(WHO) is concerned that a second wave
with a more virulent strain could soon at-
