Communion

Our Bishop, Douglas Fisher, has developed a plan for safer distribution of communion during this pandemic.

The first thing to know about receiving Communion at this time, everyone is welcome to receive Jesus spiritually. Spiritual communion is the understanding that when we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, Jesus' Presence comes to each one of us, even when we are not able to physically receive communion. Each time we celebrate Holy Communion, we now include this prayer for Spiritual Communion:

Lord Jesus, we thank you for feeding us spiritually with your Body and Blood, through which
you have imparted to us your life. Teach us to live with a grateful heart. You have come to us anew
today. May you continue to live in our souls; until in your good time we may see you face to face
where you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Those who wish to receive physical communion may receive when coming to an in-person worship service, by keeping Communion in Reserve in their homes, or by requesting a Lay Eucharistic Visitor if homebound.

Below is a brief account of the guidelines from our Diocese:

· Those preparing Communion will wear masks & practice good hand hygiene. Communion will be placed in plastic bags to be distributed to
homes.

· Communion wafers will be placed in a covered container on the Altar on Sunday morning.

· Rev. Aileen will wear a mask while praying the prayer of consecration, and will use hand sanitizer before touching the paten.

· Those receiving communion will leave masks on until they have stepped 6 feet away from the priest/eucharistic minister.
After consuming Eucharist, please return your mask to proper position over mouth and nose.

· In-person Pastoral Visits (including Eucharistic Visits) are limited to no more than 10 minutes.

· Eucharistic Visitors will use hand sanitizer and masks; parishioners should also wear a mask and either wash or sanitize hands
in preparation for greeting Visitor.

· Communion will be distributed in bread only. Eucharistic Ministers are to drop the bread or wafer into the opened palms of the
one receiving while avoiding touching their hands. Pressing the bread into the palm is not permitted.

· Priest and Eucharistic Ministers will use hand sanitizer before distributing communion.

Do not be daunted by these guidelines, please contact Rev. Aileen if you have any concerns.

At this time, we are receiving Communion only in one kind. The doctrine of Concomitance assures us that Jesus’ whole nature cannot be divided, therefore when we receive Communion in one kind only, we are receiving the wholeness of Jesus’ Presence.