Opawa Baptist minister Steve Taylor suggests some practical ways churches can respond to Influenza A. "While this pandemic is not as severe as it might have been, Influenza A (H1N1) could affect one-third of the population over the next few months. The existing health and welfare systems may not be able to respond to this level of demand," he writes.

"If this happens, the church has a potential opportunity to be the practical hands and feet of Jesus. Many churches have started thinking about this already and are keen to explore ways to offer a response."

In Christchurch, there is currently an attempt to bring together a co-ordinated response across the city via a web-based volunteer self-registration website that can be accessed by health and council co-ordinator roles. This is an opportunity for churches and other community groups to come together in response to needs that emerge in the community, often in ways that existing services struggle to deal with.

Ideally churches would:

1. Use their notices and networks to point people to www.fluinfo.org.nz or 0800 37 30 37 and encourage people to consider being volunteer in a range of practical ways, for example in areas like childcare and home visits. They can register from a link on www.fluinfo.org.nz . Non-patient contact functions are available if people are more comfortable with this option. Alerting health and council co-ordinators to the availability of volunteers will make a big difference.

2. As many are doing, prepare flu packs with items like food, soup, lemonade, aloe-vera tissues, alcohol hand cleanser, recent magazines, inside things for bored kids to do, some prayers for healing. This can be offered as part of the co-ordinated city-wide volunteer response on the website, or into local communities as many are doing.

3. Consider helping at the local flu centre. The work load at the flu centre could be further streamlined, allowing more people to be cared for more efficiently, if there was a team of reliable volunteers willing to work there, prepared to partner with nurses, consider practical support needs and ensure adequate support as people return home.

Considering becoming a volunteer raises a lot of questions, so check out the FAQ at http://cdhbvolunteer.primaryhealthresponse.org.nz/ (also accessed via the link at www.fluinfo.org.nz ). If you have further questions don't hesitate to email a question via the volunteer self-registration website. Please call Clare Palmer (0212295699) or Kim Burgess (0272017116) if you are interested in a new role at the flu centre, or have questions/suggestions.

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