Multiple cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) have been confirmed in the Seattle area. To our knowledge, there are no cases within Mars Hill Church. This Sunday, however, we will be taking the precautionary measures listed below in an effort to guard against further spread of the virus.

We have no plans to cancel services, as we want to continue to gather publicly to worship Jesus. But we also want to be wise, and we want to care for our church and for our community, so we will adjust our policies on a week-to-week basis as needed. Subscribe to this blog to receive pertinent updates.

After consulting various medical resources, credible news outlets, and knowledgeable members of the Mars Hill body, we have decided to implement the following changes for Sunday, May 3, 2009:

• We will increase our disinfection efforts before, between, and after all services, particularly in the bathrooms, children’s ministry space, and other high traffic areas at our campuses.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available in bathrooms and throughout our buildings.
• There will be no formal meet-and-greet during the service.
• The Ballard campus Visitor Center will be closed, along with similar areas at our other campuses, but volunteers will remain available for assistance in getting connected.
• There will be a strict “no sick” policy for Children’s Ministry (both for kids and volunteers).
• There will be no coffee or refreshments (some campuses may choose to serve bottled water).
• No communion.

Normally, we invite Christians to take communion (bread dipped in wine or juice, according to conscience) in response to the preaching of God’s Word. This week we will ask everyone to use this time to pray for those who are sick, to consider their mortality, and come to salvation in Jesus.

We encourage families and community groups to take communion together at home for as long as we are unable to do so at our larger gatherings.

Finally, if you are sick or think you might be, please remain home to recover. We will not be issuing any sort of face coverings (to staff or attendees); if this concerns you, that would be another reason to stay home and watch the sermon online once it is posted next week.

Yesterday, the Seattle Times quoted Jeff Duchin, chief of communicable disease with Public Health Seattle and King County, who observed that so far the virus seems to be behaving like a typical flu virus. “The risk of getting swine flu in Washington is low,” he said. “And the risk of getting seriously ill is extremely low.”

Please pray that this is indeed the case, and please commit your safety, life, and future to God and his will (Psalms 39:4–8; 127:1–2).