The vicar, church wardens and PCC are continuing to monitor a flexible, comprehensive Flu Pandemic Plan for St Nicholas Marston, in compliance with official advice.
We are keeping informed about the current situation via the Oxford diocesan website, and the regular Thames Valley and Oxfordshire Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) Briefing.
The most important things we can offer as a church during a pandemic are hope, and a sense of proportion. In spite of the news media, there is no reason to panic, and most people who have contracted the H1N1 virus have had only a mild form of illness. We are able to offer the particular Christian resources of prayer, faith, and love of our neighbour.
If you are anxious about any of the implications of the swine flu pandemic, please talk to the vicar!
We aim to continue to provide regular services at St Nicholas church, and other activities, as far as is possible. This will be subject to diocesan advice, and if it becomes advisable to cancel meetings, we will follow that advice .
We will keep you informed about the changing situation by means of the pewsheet or other notices where possible. The church website will also contain news or links to other sites. See http://www.godspell.org.uk/nicholas/
We are all encouraged to identify 5 ‘flu friends’ who will help out if we become ill by collecting medicines and other essentials. You may well have done this already from your own circle of friends and neighbours. But if you don’t have your flu friends ready, please ask us and we will arrange for someone in the church to be a flu friend.
We are also encouraged to see that we have a good supply of tissues, and basic medical supplies, especially paracetamol. Do check your own supplies of these.
We can all help prevent the spread of infection by observing basic hygiene measures. Always use a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of it immediately. (Catch it - Bin it - Kill it.) Wash your hands frequently, and use ordinary household disinfectant to clean hard surfaces around the house like door handles.
Be a good neighbour yourself. If you are aware that anyone nearby has flu, could you offer to fetch medicines or food for them?
If you develop flu-like symptoms, please stay away from church to prevent the spread of infection. Make sure someone knows you are ill so they can check up on you. If you would like special prayer, please phone the vicar. The diocesan advice discourages pastoral visits or sick Communion for people with the virus, but we can always pray for you over the phone.
If you are unable to get to church, there are resources on the Internet to help you join in regular prayer. There is a link you can click on the church website. If you don’t do the Internet, we can lend you some suitable prayer books.
The church will be open during the day throughout the pandemic, for those who wish to use it for prayer. If it is appropriate we will provide times for corporate prayer.
This section amended August 26, 2009
In the light of recent developments we have reviewed our swine flu policy and decided to resume offering wine from the common chalice at Holy Communion. If you would prefer not to receive the wine, please simply indicate that you wish it to pass you by. As we have been reminded, receiving communion 'in one kind' does constitute a full communion.
We also think it is appropriate for members of the congregation to exchange the Peace if they wish to. In the interests of hygiene the celebrant will not exchange a handshake before the eucharistic prayer, and will apply an alcohol gel before handling the bread.
The most important way of preventing the spread of flu is still to stay at home if you have any flu-like symptoms. If you would like someone from the church to collect medicines or groceries for you, please contact Tony Price (247034) or Rosemary Green (248387).
We will continue to review this policy and make whatever changes become necessary.
| Tony Price | 01865 247034 |
| Alison Price | 01865 247034 |
| Harvey Burd | 01865 242239 |
| Guy Greenstreet | 01865 769347 |
| Rosemary Green | 01865 248387 |
Church website
Diocesan website
Government information on swine flu
NHS Direct