Holy Communion or Holy Eucharist
Within the relationship of full communion, participation together in the
Holy Communion is an important mark of the full communion we now share.
To encourage celebrations of Holy Eucharist in congregations and other
gatherings of the church, the following mutually agreed upon guidelines
are provided.
- It is important that a spirit of graciousness and commonality mark the
planning of a service for assemblies of our two churches, including all
of the details of the celebration. This planning is best done well in
advance of the common celebration. It should include ordained and lay
leaders from each of the participating churches. Liturgical leadership
also should include the ordained ministers and laity of both churches.
Planning offers an opportunity for participants to develop familiarity
with and appreciation for the liturgical traditions of the participating
churches as they are embodied in the worship books of each. These
include: Lutheran Book of Worship and
With One Voice (ELCA);
The Book of
Common Prayer and
The Hymnal 1982, as well as
Wonder, Love, and Praise (ECUSA).
Other resources are available from both churches.
- In The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, approval of a bishop (diocesan or synodical) or presiding
bishop may be necessary for special worship services outside
congregations. Planners need to be alert to these polity requirements so
that the tradition of each participating church is respected. The bishop
may request a report containing such things as: attendance, the order of
service, and a listing of presiding minister, assisting ministers, and
preacher.
- Mutual respect between our churches is enhanced and nurtured when the
parity of ministries in the churches is manifested in sacramental
worship. This principle should inform planning as well as leadership in
the actual celebration. Within the context of our full communion,
choosing one presiding minister to offer the eucharistic prayer
recognizes the mutuality of our ministries. The participation by lay and
ordained ministers of both churches in the distribution of Holy
Communion also serves this sign.
- Planners need to be sensitive to the fact that the manner in which
communion is distributed varies widely from congregation to
congregation. What is comfortable and familiar to one community may feel
uncomfortable and unfamiliar to another. Care should be taken that the
manner of distribution be understood clearly by all.
- Ordained ministers are encouraged to vest in the manner appropriate to
their tradition or as agreed in the planning of the service. The alb,
stole, and chasuble, or alb and stole are vestments common to both our
traditions for Holy Communion.
- Persons charged with the responsibility for planning liturgical
celebrations in our churches are called upon to exercise great care.
Planners are encouraged to consider carefully the following
possibilities:
- When the service is hosted by a particular church (The Episcopal Church
or the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) or a congregation of that
church, that church's rite is used. An ordained minister from the other
church presides. An ordained minister of the host church preaches.
Note: The purpose of these guidelines is to encourage frequent sharing
of Holy Communion as an expression of full communion. Should a pastor or
priest of either church be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the rite for
celebration in the other church, he or she should be invited to preach
at the joint celebration rather than preside.
- When the service is an occasion where no one church body acts as host,
the form of service may be an adapted form of the liturgy prepared for
the inauguration of full communion by the churches on Epiphany 2001,
printed on pages xxx of these guidelines.
- Drawing liturgical materials from sources
of both churches in the planning of a service is a special
challenge. The integrity and coherence of each church's rite depends
upon not simply picking and choosing among comparable elements, but
understanding the deep structures and logic inherent in
The Book of Common Prayer
and Lutheran Book of Worship
and their supplements. For example, the books of both churches use
headings and other descriptors which are not common to both
churches. Planners will need to consult carefully to be sure that
decisions reflect this integrity and coherence.
- Another important way to express the relationship of full communion is
for congregations to share the form of worship they ordinarily use by
inviting members of the other church to worship with them on a regular
or an occasional basis.
- When the Holy Eucharist is celebrated together, the service needs to
offer the Gospel by Word and Sacrament to all the baptized present. All
those welcome at the table in their own churches should be welcomed in a
shared service, subject to the eucharistic practices of the churches
from which visitors may come.
- It is important for planners to remember that in full communion, both
churches have agreed that they will continue to honor the governing
documents of the other church body participating in shared worship. Care
to honor the canons, constitutions, and policies of both our churches is
important.
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