A major casualty of our entry into COVID-land has been our forced hiatus from communion—not only weekly, but communion to those receiving it at home. This has certainly been one of the most unsettling restrictions we’ve faced (along with our inability to meet together). A couple of things about this:
First, Bp. Kym Lucas has convened a Task Force of a large variety of folks from around the diocese to provide guidance as to how (and when) we might be able to offer communion again. The considerations are multiple, as I hope you understand. Of course there are concerns about safety — minimizing physical contact (and possible transmission of COVID) is primary. Of equal concern is how consecration of the elements (and distribution) can be done in accordance with the Episcopal Church’s theology about the Eucharist. Many “interesting” options have been suggested to me as to how this might be done (and is done by some non-Episcopal congregations); the problem with most of those is that they do not conform to Anglican theology and practice. So the Task Force’s challenge is to walk that fine line between our desire to resume offering communion, our concern for everyone's safety, AND our Anglican heritage. Bp. Kym and the Task Force hope to have some guidance for us by early September.
Second, until such time as we can celebrate the Eucharist together again, we will continue our practice of corporate prayer on Sunday mornings, Since before Easter, we have prayed using Rite One and Rite Two Morning Prayer (from the Book of Common Prayer) as well as Morning Prayer from the Episcopal Church’s Enriching our Worship. During August, we will return to Rite Two Morning Prayer. After Labor Day (especially given what we learn from the Task Force), we will probably shift to the “Liturgy of the Word” (from the Rite Two eucharistic service). The "Liturgy of the Word” is that familiar part of our weekly practice that concludes with the Offertory. It may be a nice way to “ease” us back into our familiar eucharistic pattern
These worship changes will take place regardless of how, if at all, we are in the building or not — or regardless of the number of folks we can have at worship at any one time. As I noted in my lead article, we will not return to anything approximating “normal” for some months. And we will need to remain flexible through this interim time. BUT, this interim time does allow us to explore some of the richness of our Anglican heritage. So, despite the limitations of COVID-land, we ALWAYS have reasons to give thanks!