Email Update - 3/12
What about the novel coronavirus and Village Church?
As of today, March 12, there are 2 positive and 8 presumptive cases of the novel coronavirus in SC. For now, Greenville is not facing an immediate threat of infection. But here's some info and the measures we are (and may be) taking as a Church.
Above all, let's pray for the Lord's mercy, for healing and for the end to this thing.
Request: If you have any signs of sickness, please stay home and get better! We will miss you.
Reminder: As always, you can receive only the bread in communion. Receiving in one kind is full communion.
Change: If you would like to dip your bread in the wine, please hand it to the chalice bearer who will do so and hand it back to you.
Update: We are still drinking from the cup, if desired, but we may change this soon to allay any concerns.
Update: We are still passing the Peace with a handshake or hug as usual, but we may make this purely verbal in the future. If you personally prefer to keep it verbal now, just speak peace - there's no judgement.
With many, many historic Christians, I believe the Eucharist is blessed, holy, and a means of grace. We embrace the mystery that Christ is spiritually present in the bread and wine, as he promised. It's not his bodily flesh, but it's also not just bread. Nor is the wine just wine. This spiritual reality means it isn't just any other meal with the usual infection risks. If anything, the Church has overwhelmingly believed the Eucharist is healing. But that might not be you. We are a family with some differing views on matters like this, so it's for each of us to make room for all. The best way we can do this is to partake of this blessed meal in ways that diminish fear and encourage participation from all. Why? Because we need Jesus. And this is the precious way he has made himself available to us when we gather in faith. So, let's feed on him in our hearts, by faith, with thanksgiving.
Lastly, this letter from our Archbishop is as comforting as it is wise. I hope it blesses you as it did me. If you have any questions about any of this, just reply to this email. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Love to all,
Seth+