A rescue mission in Kansas City has barred atheists from helping to feed the homeless for Thanksgiving this year, even though the group has volunteered the past two years. The Kansas City Atheist Coalition announced the bad news on their website on Saturday that the Kansas City Rescue Mission had turned down an offer to assist with this year’s Thanksgiving event.

“Kansas City Rescue Mission has decided to use the meals they deliver as a chance to proselytize to its recipients by inserting religious literature into the meals,” the coalition noted. “They informed us that we ‘would not be a good fit’ (emphasis theirs) for volunteering with them, and declined to respond to any further inquiries.” President Josh Hyde pointed out that the group had about a dozen members show up to volunteer at last year’s Thanksgiving Outreach.

--snip--

The Kansas City Rescue Mission website notes that “hunger affects hundreds in Kansas City and KCRM wants to make it easy for you to reach out to our neighbors in need.”

“We’re counting on your help to supply the hundreds of pounds of food needed to provide 2,400 meals for hungry, poverty-stricken and homeless men, women and children through our three Thanksgiving community outreaches,” the mission says.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/11/christian-rescue-mission-bans-kansas-atheists-from-volunteering-at-thanksgiving/

One does not associate church with Hepatitis A, most of the time church is the least expected place to contract the virus. Surprisingly, hundreds of people may have been exposed to Hepatitis A while taking communion. The exposure happened in late September and early October in North Dakota.

While Bishop John Folda served communion, he exposed hundreds of parishioners to Hepatitis A. Bishop John Folda served the communion at five different churches in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Jamestown. He acquired the virus in Italy while attending a conference. He did not have any knowledge of contracting the virus, he stated “I wish I had known I was ill so I could immediately refrain from participating in public activities.” North Dakota state Health Department issued an advisory of exposure for anyone who attended the services. Bishop Folda issued a statement saying “I sincerely apologize to the people who may have been exposed to the virus.”

Hepatits A can cause serious liver problems. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Vaccinations are available for Hepatitis A, though they are usually given to people who are at high risk of exposure. The Hepatitis A vaccine may be prevented if the vaccine is given within two weeks of exposure. Unfortunately, the parishioners learned of the exposure too late to get the vaccine.

The director of communications for the Diocese of Bismark says Catholic churches and institutions have been very careful during communion ever since the 2009 outbreak of the H1N11 flu. North Dakota Catholics may pass up communion, washing hands and keeping good hygiene is important to help prevent Hepatitis A. Currently, Bishop John Folda is completely recovered and has been cleared by the doctor to resume normal activities.

http://www.goddiscussion.com/114390/possible-hepatitis-exposure-from-north-dakota-bishop/