Communion Wine Shared Again in Church
In the fall of 2022, Bishop Clark gave parishes in the Diocese permission to return to the practice of sharing communion wine in the chalice (“common cup”), with some important exceptions. The Vestry and clergy have discussed it and we are now ready to move forward with communion wine.
We recognize that not everyone will be comfortable drinking from a shared chalice. With that in mind, please be aware of the following:
· In the Episcopal Church, we have long taught that communion in one kind (bread only) is sufficient for receiving all spiritual benefits of communion. No one should feel required to drink wine from the chalice if they do not wish to do so.
· In keeping with Diocesan policy, we will not be practicing intinction, or the dipping of the bread into the cup. This may seem counterintuitive, but dipping the hand into the chalice is shown to be more problematic than drinking from a carefully cleaned metal chalice. Again, if you do not wish to drink from the cup, please receive bread only.
· Finally, we ask that all of us use our best judgment when it comes to receiving communion. If you have symptoms of illness or respiratory symptoms (even if you believe them to be allergies), please refrain from drinking from the chalice.
If you have questions, please be in touch with me.
Father Patrick