Germs and Jesus

     I’ve always loved the little story of the Mom who gave her preschool son a sandwich, which he promptly dropped on the ground. But, without a thought, he picked it right up and started to take a big bite out of it.

     “Stop! Don’t eat that!” his mother said with alarm. “That has germs on it now!”

     The little boy, bewildered and cranky retorted, “Germs and Jesus; that’s all anyone says, and I ain’t never seen neither one!”

     Never in all my years of ministry, has there been a time when germs are so much on our minds … even though we can’t see them. But then, that’s probably the point. When you can’t see something, it’s harder to remember to be careful.

     We want everyone at Trinity to feel like we are doing everything  possible to assure your health and safety. So, we are putting a few safeguards into place.

· We will have hand sanitizer all around the church for you to use     

      as often as you think about it. While sanitizer will not kill a virus, it 

      does make your hands a less hospitable environment to pass the 

      virus along.

· If you have any sort of a fever, please stay home and take care of

     yourself. Let us know, and we will add you to our prayers of healing.

     We have many Trinity folks (young, immune system compromised,

     and older), who fall into the “most at risk” category.

· Please do not think that because you don’t show any flu symptoms,

     that you have dodged the bullet.  Many of us, even though we will   

     continue healthy, can carry the virus and give it to others (another           

     reason for ALL of us to avail ourselves of hand sanitizer and good       

     hygiene).

· During our worship greeting time, please do not feel that you have

     to shake hands. You can wave, bow, give an elbow to elbow clasp,

     a back of the hand bump, or give an “air-hug.” Please be alert to 

     others’ non-verbal cues that they may not want to shake your hands.

     When you come through the greeting line following the service, if

    you do not extend your hand for me to shake, that is perfectly fine!

· If you cough or sneeze, please do so into a tissue (they are in each

     pew), and then dispose of the tissue later (don’t leave it in the pew).          

     If you have your own hand sanitzer to use at this point, so much  

     the better!

· For Holy Communion, I will break off a piece of bread, dip it in the

     cup and place it into your receiving hands.

· In the kitchen for public events, we will continue to practice the

     highest sanitation procedures: double washing cups and silverware

     and air drying all dishes.

· Some of you may want to arrive at worship a little late, and leave a little early, and that is fine.

We want to do everything possible to continue to make Trinity a place of health and healing for all ages. If you have any suggestions to help us with our precautions, please let the office know.

     Germs and Jesus!  Hopefully we can avoid the first and embrace the latter!

                                                                 On the journey with you,

Rev. Pamela