The Evangelical Alliance is calling on churches to prepare to set up networks of ‘flu friends’ to care for the sick in case of a swine flu pandemic, following Government guidance for faith communities.
07 May 2009
The Evangelical Alliance is calling on churches to prepare to set up networks of 'flu friends' to care for the sick in case of a swine flu pandemic, following Government guidance for faith communities.
"Such 'flu friends' could visit the sick, collect medication and food, help with childcare and generally provide care," said Dr Justin Thacker, the Evangelical Alliance's Head of Theology and a former medical doctor.
"Such provision will be particularly important for those who are socially isolated or vulnerable. Specifically, churches could make it possible for vulnerable people to register with them, so that church members can provide help and support if swine flu spreads.
"The church is uniquely placed to provide such a service for the whole community, whether Christian or not."
He encouraged church representatives to contact their local health practice to ask how they can best partner with them to provide help for those hit by a pandemic.
The Alliance's response to the guidance passes on advice on how to avoid cross-infection in churches, including providing adequate hand washing facilities.
"We are thankful that swine flu has not claimed any lives in the UK, and are pleased that the Government does not see any need to close religious gatherings in the same way as some schools have been closed," said Dr Thacker.
"But it is wise to start thinking about how churches might respond if the situation does get worse, and not just in terms of taking sensible measures to reduce the spread of infection.
"Our primary role as evangelical churches is not to protect ourselves but to serve our communities and demonstrate the love of Christ to them."
The Alliance made these comments in response to the Government's May 1 publication Faith Communities and Pandemic Flu: Guidance for faith communities and local influenza pandemic committees.
The full text of the Evangelical Alliance's response is available here.
Media Contact:
Charis Gibson
Evangelical Alliance
020 7207 2117
c.gibson@eauk.org
Notes to editors:
The Evangelical Alliance, formed in 1846, is the largest body serving evangelical Christians in the UK, and has a membership including denominations, churches, organisations and individuals. The mission of the Evangelical Alliance is to unite evangelicals to present Christ credibly as good news for spiritual and social transformation. According to a Tearfund survey (Churchgoing in the UK, 2007), there are approximately 2 million evangelical Christians in the UK. For more information, go to www.eauk.org.
Faith Communities and Pandemic Flu: Guidance for faith communities and local influenza pandemic committees is available
here.
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