Churches making changes to avoid spreading swine flu

The arm bump of peace?

Worshippers across the Chicago suburbs are resorting to baseball player-style elbow bumps, smiles and nods, or even a friendly wave to replace the traditional handshake of peace during Christian services.

It's one of a few concessions worshippers are making to try to lower the chances of spreading the swine flu virus, also known as H1N1.

At Calvary Episcopal Church in Batavia, soon after the virus first made news, the clergy asked members to stop dipping the communion bread into the wine - a practice known as intinction - and stop shaking hands during the service.

The church loosened its handshaking restriction, but now that the illness is more widespread, even leading to the closing of St. Charles East High School for several days last week, the church is expected to again suggest skipping handshakes this weekend.

And Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville will stop serving the common cup of wine with communion this weekend, and leaders suggest holding off on handshakes as a sign of peace.

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church of Naperville also has temporarily stopped serving communal wine.

Concern about the flu increased with the recent death of a 14-year-old Naperville girl, Pastor Joel Fortier said, but the measure was primarily in response to DuPage County's advice against using communal drinking cups.

"It's a fuller symbol with both," Fortier said, "but as far as our faith is concerned, it doesn't make a difference."

Handshakes are still exchanged as a sign of peace, but Fortier said, "We told people to use their common sense. If they're sick, stay home."

Elsewhere, some churches have responded more drastically.

The Catholic Church in Utah ordered parishes last week to empty holy water fonts, cut off communal wine, and to place the bread of communion in each parishioner's hand instead of directly in the mouth.

There's also no hand shaking before and after services, no hand holding during the Our Father, and no laying of hands on heads for blessing children.

And some churches use individually-wrapped bread and juice packets and pass garbage cans through the pews.

But in the Chicago suburbs, responses have been measured.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Batavia offers the choice of communal or individual cup.

The Archdiocese of Chicago hasn't changed any of the liturgy, and simply advises that those who feel ill should not drink from the chalice, should substitute a nod of the head and verbal greeting for a handshake, and should avoid close contact with others.

One sign of the times that has become as common as religious objects in church are hand sanitizers, present at almost every entrance and function nowadays.

And all churches are emphasizing that ministers should wash their hands and use hand sanitizer before communion.

Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights has a health ministry that already emphasizes healthy practices like hand-washing, covering your cough and staying home if sick, along with public blood and health screenings. The church also uses small plastic disposable cups for wine.

Parish nurse Lois Coldewey said the parish encourages wellness in body, mind and spirit.

"Our faith impacts how we respond," she said. "We respond with trust in God, in our health professionals, and in our faith community."

Many worshippers are not scared, but realistic that they can't eliminate all risk.

"Whether I'm at a grocery store or a concert or a church sanctuary, they're all places I can be exposed," said the Rev. Rex Piercy, of United Church of Christ in Arlington Heights. "Shaking hands at church is hardly the only place I come into contact with people."