Mars Hill to skip communion over Swine Flu

Geeky Swedes Ballard

Mars Hill Church posted on its website that it’s taking extra precautions this Sunday due to the Swine Flu: no communion, no coffee or refreshments, no formal meet-and-greet during service, extra hand sanitizer stations will be available and the visitor center will be closed.

“We have no plans to cancel services, as we want to continue to gather publicly to worship Jesus,” Ballard’s largest church explained in a blog post. “But we also want to be wise, and we want to care for our church and for our community.” Meanwhile, the number of probable cases in King County has increased to 15, but early indications are that the Swine Flu is not unusually dangerous.

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100 thoughts to “Mars Hill to skip communion over Swine Flu”

  3. It only took 2 posts from someone to take a shot at Mars Hill. Tolerance is a beautiful thing isn't it? Sorry, I guess you wouldn't have any idea would you?

  4. I wonder if ” more mysogony” will also be on the dockett. Poeple that go to this “church” are inundated weekly with – super cool pastor – Marc Driscol's beliefs that women must be subserviant to men to make marriages work, and that most marriages fail because gender roles aren't properly represented in the working marriage. So don't be fooled by the hip looking foot traffic coming and going from the church on service days, or the “hot” ladies that are being brainwashed by a sexist dinosaur.

  6. Shouldn't their god protect them from Swine Flu if they are so devout in their worship? It is funny that they are willing to dismiss so quickly their superstitions in order to protect themselves from something real.

  7. Should be called Driscol flu. I'm sure he is preaching this is some type biblical prophecy coming true to cleanse the city of non believers. If the women would just stay home barefoot and pregnant like God intended them to why the men folk hunted and gathered then they would never have to worry about the silly old flu.

  10. This amuses me.

    I have been reading that the swine flu virus is not as strong in our area as it was in Mexico. I've been wondering about that. One thing I've wondered about is if the virus has weakened as it has been passed along. I had read somewhere that part of the reason people get sick on different levels is how much of the virus they are exposed to. If along the line people are exposed to less and less of it then it will weaken quickly as it goes down the line. Or I'm wondering if there just wasn't as much health care available to many of the people in Mexico and that's why so many died? Were those deaths in rural areas far away from hospitals?

    Anyway, I am relieved that is it not so strong here. I'm not sure how well I could stomach a full-fledged pandemic.

  11. Why is every move of mars hill posted here? I would rather hear what the Ballard Elks are doing. Enough with Heaven's Gate , I mean mhc.

  14. True that! I'm beginning to think the site has been infiltrated by Mars-hillians! Who cares if they don't offer communion? And – while I'm taking a swipe, you all should know that they are quietly buying up Ballard.

  15. We're not members, and we've never attended. It's one of the largest churches on the West Coast, though, and a source of some unusual stories of which we post from time to time here on My Ballard.

  16. Why? We have to assume that the editors have some issue with Mars Hill. Who knows what it is. I wonder if anyone has paid attention to what is taught these days at Ballad First Lutheran. Oh wait, they don’t teach anything there they are a social club.

    So Silly. I avoid organized religion like a disease.

  23. Seems to me that Mars Hill Church has taken reasonable precautions to protect their congregation from getting the flu. I understand that people come from a wide area to attend church there so, if someone is ill, they could spread the infection to a wider community.

    Hopefully the rest of us are taking similar precautions.

  26. If they are a Calvinist church, then they should believe that whatever happens to them is Gods will, that they were predestined to get the flu.

  27. I don't tolerate people that go to Mars Hill Church, they creep me out. II don't mind being intolerant of dumb peopel . I find it hard to believe in talking snakes, virgin births, and a guy that keeps popping out of his grave. Sorry…

  28. ” II don't mind being intolerant of dumb peopel”

    What, like those people with Obama stickers where the “O” was a peace symbol? The same ones wondering why he's now rocketing Taliban weddings.

    Or those people who thinking riding a bike is going to save the planet when 10,000 Chinese become 1st time car owners every day?

    Lots of stupidity to go around.

  29. yes, but your stupidity may be the most obvious.

    obama didn't “rocket ” a taliban wedding – bush-led coalition forces bombed an afghan wedding in 2002, killing 30. al jazeera claimed several other weddings were bombed through 2007/8

    and you are right, we need to convince china and india that their former love for the bicycle must not die. riding a bike won't neccesarily “save the planet” but at least they're doing their part not to kill it faster.

    you could stop breathing and do the same thing, actually.

  30. Did I miss a really positive mars hill post? For the most part, they seem to be either neutral or negative. It seems odd to jump to the conclusion that they must go there if they have posts about it.

    I mean, they post a lot about homelessness, crime and drugs… are they homeless drug addicts too? What the hell?

  32. In humble support and defense of the Swedes. They do their best to keep it local, and diverse, and fair.
    I like what they do, and I couldn't be happier with MyBallard.
    M.B.A.A, lifer. ;-)

  33. Frank's Moonshine Closet

    I just love people that attack intolerance with their own intolerance. It must really suck to be an ass and a hypocrite. Why can't the swine flu be reserved for tolerant people like yourself?

  34. No I'm just saying it's just a church. They don't want the flu, great. Non story. What are the Ballard Masons doing this week, how can we help? Thats a better story. I love Ballard civic groups, they have a real desire to build the community.

  36. And people at Grace Lutheran Pee IN the toilet so as to not Pee on the Floor!!! So they don't get pee stains on the carpet!!!!

  38. i do not attend mars hill, and i don't find myself any specific reason to defend anything they do.

    so it is with that the i have to say that i find most of the people that post on anything they do, quite sad. mention the words “Mars Hill,” regardless of the topic, and people decide to spout off about how intollerant, ignorant and horrible the teachings and the congregation are…. not realizing how intollerant and ignorant and horrible they are being in their posts.

    if you disagree, you disagree. but i have yet to hear a post from anyone about how this church has impacted their life negatively.

    if it wasn't so sad, it would be funny.

  41. Gooner, there's a certain breed of intolerant, angry liberal that infests Seattle and makes me, quite frankly, embarrassed to be a liberal. I have friends who are super religious (one, heaven forbid, who thinks the world is 5000 years old), some who are atheists, friends who are republicans and democrats. I've never found tolerance, sophistication, education, intelligence to ever have any link to a person's political or religious beliefs.

    But when I want to meet an intolerant fool, I just wait until I cross paths with a hardcore Seattle liberal. They're the ones when I meet at parties and they ask what I do I tell them I'm an arms trader and Haliburton shareholder. I call it my “liberal humor test” and they fail it everytime.

  42. what a bad way to inform the followers…of a halt in receiving communion? Isn't it the Lord will save those who believe? then why the halt? “sigh”…it only means their belief is not that strong. a mere simple advisory of practicing proper hygiene is enough to calm the public…because for me this swine flu was just a media hype-over exaggeration of news. wheewww….

  43. I can't tolerate intolerance. Please educate me. what is one thing that mh has done for the community, that hasn't been a vehicle for self promotion?

  44. I have no idea but you know what, that's up to them. I imagine its members find some kind of happiness going there; maybe that's why the angry left hates them so much?

  45. Wanna bet all the Mars Church haters oooh and ahhh over young Somali Muslim girls in Seattle forced to wear head scarves. Then they all marvel at how wonderful 'cultural diversity' is.

  48. No we OOOHH and AAAAHHHH over the subservient women attending Martian mound ( walking 5ft behind the men of course ) !! Nice try with the race baiting though.

  50. Wow! That's a lot of comments on an article about a church that is just taking precautions to not spread the flu. I don't like Mars Hill either but I applaud that they are trying to keep the safety of their congregants in mind.

  51. Must be tough being such haters. If you hate churches that teach women to be subservient why not go after Buddhists who teach being born a women is a from bad dharma in a previous life, or mosques that teach women to be subservient and force their daughters to cover their heads? Why no daily protests and freak outs over those religions and practices?

    Oh that's right, that would be politically incorrect.

    Pointing out the hypocrisy of the angry, far left isn't race baiting.

  53. Great way to dodge your own hypocrisy…call others racist. What's next, I'm a Nazi for pointing out Mars Church haters total inconsistency?

    Card carrying member of the angry left are you?

  54. well, I think that the trend of 'hate M.H.' is really only the lefty bum-huggers that are displeased with their lack of open bum-hugging, etc.
    Just my impression of the sad, sad comments that pop up every time that a M.H. story is posted.
    Get a life, and stay out of the judgment industry, ya lefties.
    oh, and get a soul as well ;-)

  60. news is news, no one forces you to read the news…unless, you are the clown that can't find your remote…
    pssst…it's under your ass…

  61. Oh SORRY Shopper_747 I forgot you adopted this blog as your very own. Always with the moral high ground right? No questioning your position! No Way! You're the blog police! ASSHat.

  62. It sickens me that woman are treated as they are in all religions. Obviously the legalization of raping your wife if she isn't in the mood is worse than what MH preaches, but that doesn't make what they preach right.

    “Why no daily protests and freak outs over those religions and practices? “

    Because there isn't a post about it.

  63. By “bum-ggers,” do you mean homosexuals? If so, are you nine?

    It's funny that you say “stay of the judgement industry” for more reason than one.

  64. Adopted, yes. My own, no. Blog police? Hardly, I've been deleted, and in my kingdom, that would never occur. ;-)
    But the Swedes are wise, and I am thankful for that.

  67. Sorry Silence.kit, I did not mean to be funny.
    and no, I'm not nine…add like forty.
    Of course, you meant to type 'mine', and no I'm not yours.
    But thanks for your input. I may consider you as a wise and useful member of the Kings court…but I'd suggest calligraphy for all proclamations, as it avoids typos ;-)

  75. HeatherHeather –

    What you need to know is My Ballard has been taken over by right wing shills, Arby's fry cooks and mall cops. Not a place for rational discussion, more of a place to spout racism, homophobia, and to hide behind the anonymity of the net.

  78. Mars Hill is a publicity stunt circus, an embarrassment for Ballard and Seattle. I suppose the relative sanity of our fair city has made the few religious nuts even crazier than your everyday religious nut.

    Tolerance is not the appropriate response to brain washing.

    Communion and coffee do neither a flu epidemic nor a solution make. You know — cause and effect, science, critical thinking :/

  79. Elmer, what racism or homophobia? Jesus, so much as try to be a moderate democrat and question the hug-a-bum crowd and suddenly you're KKK.

  80. Why don't you see your comment about the “Chinese” above, or the Somali Muslim girl comment or the “bum_huggers” comment. Trend ? Yes.

  82. How is it racist to point out a fact that thousands of Chinese are enjoying prosperity and buying cars and that me jumping on a bike is a meaningless, feel good gesture in light of the amazing changes and growth in China (and INdia).

    And my point about Somali kids in head scarves is true: white liberals will scream and shout about Mars church oppressing women, but if this was a conservative mosque that made women wear head scarves down in Ballard, you'd all be 'celebrating diversity'. the racism lies in guilty white liberals hands on that one.

    Are u one of those people who thinks if anyone mentions the ethnicity or race of a person they must be a racist?

    Oh that's right, you moved to Ballard because it's so diverse.

    And hug-a-bum refers to bums. Smelly bums.

  83. Moderate democrat? Hehe The only difference between democrats and GOPers is that democrats think sex is ok. They both have it of course but GOPers feel dirty after.

  84. That's about right!

    Oh, you forgot one thing, in the past 25 years, Democrats have had much better results on Wall Street. And it looks like Obama's turning it around for us again!

  87. Hey, the S&P is on a tear since Obama came into office!

    Or you can vote for Nader!

    Now which one is more likely to happen in your lifetime?

  89. That's the most brilliant thing you've posted. imho.
    Both parties have sold us down the river on this one.
    Neither can claim the 'high ground' on the economy.

  92. well, regardless of comment content, it sure is a popular subject around here. I guess MH is like the Paris Hilton of Ballard…everyone hates it but they can't stop talking about it?

  93. “And my point about Somali kids in head scarves is true: “

    You have absolutely nothing to base that on. You're making it up. I already told you I don't support that. Many people have said they're anti-religion, not just anti-Calvinism. You're wrong.

  96. Your logic is lost on these people silence.kit. They would argue the world is flat if someone, anyone would respond. They are just sad. I pray for them.

  97. the somali girls I talk to like to wear their head scarves.
    No one makes them do this. They are proud of their cultural and religious heritage. Some think that it is an ignorant atttitude to believe that they are “forced” to do anything…. they are enjoying the freedom to be young, devout and free from terror in Seattle Washington.

  98. “the somali girls I talk to like to wear their head scarves.”

    I'm sure this is true.

    Maybe the women from Mars Church like to stay home and care for their families too? Maybe they are proud of their Calivinist culture and heritage? Maybe they are not forced to do anything?

    Can we extend the same tolerance to them?

  99. “the somali girls I talk to like to wear their head scarves.”

    I'm sure this is true.

    Maybe the women from Mars Church like to stay home and care for their families too? Maybe they are proud of their Calivinist culture and heritage? Maybe they are not forced to do anything?

    Can we extend the same tolerance to them?

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