Letters from 10
to 16 November 2008
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Defining terms
I have read about
the decision in New South Wales that deacons and lay persons can "administer" the
Eucharist. To me that means passing out the elements that someone else
has consecrated, but the tenor of the various articles and the furor
aroused sounds as if what it means is the consecration of the elements
— a very different thing. Could you clarify for me which it is?
In the
Episcopal Chirch in the US, we have had lay chalice bearers for approximately
20 years and lay home Eucharistic ministers who carry consecrated
elements to those who are unable to attend church in person. How does
that fit into the discussion?
Helen-Louise
Boling
St Matthew's Episcopal Church
Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA
hlboling@sbcglobal.net
10 November 2008
All about names
and toothy grins at the Eucharist
Our
letter last week prompted a number of responses.
From Spain
An excellent
editorial, identifying correctly the inherent risks, even
within an entirely name-known group of commnicants, of the unnecessary
personalisation of the giving of Holy Communion. And the implications
of either getting a name wrong, forgetting it, or differentiating audibly
between those known and unknown. I have never done this in 24 years
of (ordained) ministry; and I never, ever will. Not even the toothy
grin!
Peter Edwards
Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy (C of E)
Costa Blanca, SPAIN
10 November 2008
From Arkansas
USA
I remember
years ago, when I was an aide to the children's choir( my part was to carry
tissues for nose blowing and to remind the children: 'The action is
on our altar' and help signal them to time for Communion and procession.)
One six-year-old returned to the choir stall with Communion still in
hand. She had received a portion of the larger priest's wafer. She very
gingerly showed me and said in an manner that was very emotional, "I
am a part of the broken!" After a lingering moment, she consumed.
Your article this week tripped my memory of this moment. Had to share.
Martha Cross
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
11 November 2008
From Yorkshire
UK
I was very
struck by your editorial. Like you I find it off putting when the
administration is personalised. It comes across as being matey and clique-ish.
However, I remembered when training at the Church Army College,
Blackheath, in 1976, an African priest visited and presided at the
Eucharist. At the administration he began with the word 'Brother'
or 'Sister' the Body of Christ. It really brought it home to me
that Communion is not just a personal act between me and God, but
one shared with others here and now and we need to recognise the
relationship we live in and share in the housdehold of God as brothers
and sisters.
Canon Lindsay
Dew
Thornhill and Whitley Lower Paish Churches
Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, UNITED KINGDOM
LindsayAllangels@aol.com
12 November 2008
From South Africa
Your editorial
re personalising Holy Communion — I agree entirely that the Lord knows
our names and, as His agent it is unnecessary for the Celebrant to individually
recognise the people kneeling at the rail. But I thought I would tell
you about an incident this past Sunday.
Our Rector gives
each small child (not yet admitted to communion) a tiny piece of the
wafer on the tongue just so that they do not feel left out when coming
for a Blessing at the altar. This week a boy of four years received
his bit of wafer and blessing but then ducked round the end of the altar
rail with "Father,
I need a hug too!" What
would Jesus do? The boy got his hug!
With love and
many blessings (and hugs too!)
The Reverend
Lucie Asutin
St Stephens, Sunninghill
Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
austins@acenet.co.za
12 November 2008
From Massachusetts
USA
Very much
in agreement with your take on personalization of communion formula. I've
been acknowledged by name when others weren't and vice versa — both
uncomfortable, unnecessary and unrubrical.
Harold Bronk
St John the Evangelist, Boston, MA
Milton, Massachusetts, USA
13 November 2008
Earlier letters
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