In light of the current concern about the Coronoavirus (COVID-19), I want to let you know where I currently stand on the issue in regard to our shared religious practice of communion.

In the Christian Community, we receive communion individually by the priest(s): a piece of bread on the tongue, a sip of (non-alcoholic) wine from the shared chalice, and a gentle touch on the cheek bearing the peace of Christ. This allows us to connect as individuals to the Risen One and the power of resurrection that fills the transformed substances. Each human spirit is given strength; and our spiritual community is built up through this practice. Our common cup is a living symbol of our freely chosen recognition of our connection to one another.

In light of the current situation, if you have any concerns about the process of communion being unsafe, then it is also fully acceptable to participate in our service and receive the communion spiritually by inwardly following along. I will continue to offer the full communion for anyone who wishes to participate, until there is a decision within the Christian Community to do otherwise or until either new information comes to light or we are forbidden by law to continue. I will be following the pre-cautionary guideline of 30-second hand washing with soap before each service, and will ask our servers to do the same. Anyone who is concerned they have been exposed to the virus, or anyone who feels they have a compromised immune system is encouraged to self-regulate, as is being suggested by public health officials, priests, servers, and community members alike. We can be smart without giving in to panic.

We will see how this unfolds. In the meantime, I support us all doing our best to stay healthy, get lots of sleep, eat well, drink plenty of water, take whatever immune boosters you find helpful, clear your heart of resentment and fear as best you can, and above all, pray, for the spiritual strength to meet this with equanimity, clarity and calm.

Wishing you well, and wishing us all well, the world over—
Your priest,
Rev. Liza Marcato

Here are a few prayers that may be of help:

Against Fear
May the events that seek me
Come unto me;
May I receive them
With a quiet mind
Through the Father’s ground of peace
On which we walk.
May the people who seek me
Come unto me;
May I receive them
With an understanding heart
Through the Christ’s stream of love
In which we live.
May the spirits who seek me
Come unto me;
May I receive them
With a clear soul
Through the healing Spirit’s Light
By which we see.
–Adam Bittleston

For Courage
We must eradicate from the soul all fear and terror of what comes toward human beings out of the future. We must acquire serenity in all feelings and sensations about the future. We must look forward with absolute equanimity to everything that may come. And we must think that whatever comes is given us by a world direction full of wisdom. It is part of what we must learn in this age, namely to live out of pure trust, without any security in existence, trust in the ever- present help of the spiritual world. Truly nothing else will do, if our courage is not to fail us. Let us discipline our will, and let us seek the awakening within ourselves, every morning and every evening.
–paraphrased from Rudolf Steiner

Blessings to All,

Faith