Ditching Communion Wine, Avoiding Handshakes: Here's How 5 Churches Are Avoiding the Flu
St. John's Episcopal Church
In a pastoral letter sent out last month, the Rev. Thomas Mousin of St. John's Episcopal Church of Charlestown, Massachusetts, told congregants it was OK to miss church if they were sick.
"First and foremost, if you are sick, or feeling sick, stay home if you can. It is OK to miss a Sunday at church if you have any reason to believe that you might be catching the flu or are capable of spreading it," wrote Mousin.
In keeping with the theme of good neighbor activity, Mousin also wrote that refraining from taking communion wine or shaking hands during the passing of the peace was acceptable.
"Wash hands often, smile rather than shake hands as needed, and avoid crowds when not feeling well yourself — all are ways of being a good neighbor," continued Mousin.