close
Swine Flu & Children’s Ministry
I think the short answer is not to panic and spreading calming messages consistent with those the Government are trying to spread (if you watch the BBC news a couple of times you'll soon work out what they are!! - ie For most it’s a pretty horrid experience but full recovery after a short period is the norm. For some in certain risk categories, including under 5's, the dangers are greater.)
Good basic hygiene matters - 'Catch it, kill it bin'is the slogan, so you might want extra supplies of tissues, bin bags and hand wash around. Hand washing and regular cleaning of hard surfaces are good practice. You should think about this in relation to crèche facilities and shared toys that will have been sucked, drooled on and licked by various children and should encourage crèche leaders to do a complete wipe down which includes toys after a session. Extra support and listening ears for anxious or new parents would probably be very welcome if suitable personnel can be found.
Parents should be advised to keep children away if they or their children develop flu like symptoms or sudden high temperature (which of course is a difficult thing to discern as parents steer the course of normal childhood temperatures and runny noses but err on the side of caution).
Incumbents, Children’s Ministers and other church employees should stay away from work if they develop symptoms. PCCs should already have worked out contingency plans according to Diocesan guidelines.
Watch out for trends developing and so you can respond as appropriate, cancelling groups if needs be.
You will be aware that Archbishops Williams and Sentamu have issued guidelines that recommend the sharing of the chalice is suspended at communion services and alternatives have been offered to priests. Communion practice obviously applies to children who receive in the same way as adults so whatever system your parish adopts will apply to children too. Thought will need to be given to how the changes will be explained to children and what the effects may be. For example, if you normally use bread - what impact does changing to wafers have on their experience of Communion? I say that because after having a wafer for the first time when she was 5, my daughter afterwards said to me she didn’t like it because "Bread is like Jesus but wafer is too much like skin"!
I certainly think that it is worth churches reviewing their pastoral plan regarding children and families. The media has reported the deaths of children already and it is likely there will be more as the virus continues to spread. Recently, a good number of Children’s Ministers, clergy and others were fortunate to be at a 'Children and Bereavement'training day run by Jenny Hyson of the charity SEESAW (and previous children's adviser). This was very helpful in terms of general theory and experience and the impact of practice and children, also in terms of information about other charities doing similar work.
There is an excellent list of links and contacts on the diocesan website herewww.oxford.anglican.org/bereavement-and-loss/social-justice-bereavement-and-loss/
Finally, remember that the full diocesan guidelines can be found herewww.oxford.anglican.org/the-door/news/influenza-a-h1n1-update.html and it’s definitely worth children’s leaders, Incumbents and PCC thinking through best practise in relation to specific aspects of children's ministry.
If anyone has further questions or issues please contact Yvonne Morris, Diocesan Children’s Adviser,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(01865 208255)