On Wednesday, December 23, from 2 to 3 pm, a table will be set up on the patio outside of the parish hall for the distribution of pre-consecrated hosts. Then, on Zoom and Facebook Live, we will share in the Eucharist during our Christmas Eve 7 pm and Christmas Day 10 am services.
If you cannot pick up wafers from church, we will make every effort to bring them to you. Again, however, it is very important that we know in advance, so please use the same registration form.
If you have any questions, please email communications@churchofstmartin.org .
We look forward to seeing you soon and appreciate your support as we develop ways to find familiarity in uncertain times. More detailed plans are outlined below.
Shared Home Communion
Advent 2020
Introduction
Beginning on the first Sunday of Advent, St. Martin’s will offer Shared Home Communion for the congregation to participate in Communion at home.
It is important to understand that this is not “Virtual Communion.” Virtual Communion is defined as a parishioner holding a piece of bread and/or wine at home while the priest consecrates it “over the airwaves” during an online service. Virtual Communion is not permitted in this Diocese. Instead, this service involves a consecrated wafer that individuals consume later, in this case during the live-streamed service.
An overview of the process: Congregation members will come to St. Martin’s to pick up the consecrated wafers on Saturday afternoon. Eucharistic Visitors or other trained volunteers will deliver the packages to members who are unable to come to church to pick them up. On Sunday, the congregation will take Communion together as the body of Christ.
Anyone wishing to participate in Shared Home Communion must submit the reservation form by 5 pm on the Wednesday before the service at which Shared Home Communion will be offered. If people are unable to fill out an online reservation form for any reason, they should contact the office before 5 pm of that same day by emailing info@churchofstmartin.org
• Procedure
o The Altar Guild will prepare the packages for distribution.
o Gloves will be worn when handling the materials.
o Eucharistic Ministers or other appropriate volunteers will distribute the consecrated packages to those who come to pick them up on Saturday.
o Volunteers will deliver the consecrated packages on Saturday to those who have requested delivery.
o The live-streamed service will be offered on Sunday at 10 a.m., and we will consume the bread together at the given time. When the celebrant speaks the words, “The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven” and receives the host, the congregation will receive communion at the same time. This expresses our unity in Christ.
o Instructions for those who cannot join us online on Sunday are below.
• The packages will include:
o Consecrated wafer(s) in small plastic bag with the “The body of Christ, the bread of heaven” sticker
o Instruction sheet
o Handout containing Communion under Special Circumstances
• Eucharistic Ministers (EM) or other volunteers distributing packages:
o The distribution site will be a table on the patio area between the children’s playground and the parish hall. This will allow for appropriate physical distancing and easy access for anyone whether they walk, bike, or drive to the church.
o The distribution of the package should convey a holy moment for those receiving the host. Please offer the package with the host(s) using the words from our liturgy of “The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.”
o Please let the people know that the package of pre-consecrated wafers should be kept in a respectful way until they are consumed, preferably on a home altar or similar setting. All consecrated wafers need to be consumed respectfully and by the end of the day on Sunday.
o If the person says they cannot access the streamed service, point out the printed copy of the “Eucharist Under Special Circumstances” and ask them to say the service as soon as possible.
The Eucharist Visitors (EV) or other appropriate volunteers:
o Please call the person(s) to whom you are delivering the package(s) to make sure they will be home to receive the package before Sunday morning.
o If a person receiving the package indicates they might not be able to participate in the Sunday worship service, please point them to the printed copy of the “Eucharist Under Special Circumstances” service.
o The same instructions as above apply, in terms of the respectful storing and reverent consumption of the pre-consecrated hosts.
o We are not allowing in-home visits or services, due to the very high level of COVID in our community at this time. We will revisit this decision at such time as the public health situation allows.
St. Martin’s Messengers List
o We have a list of members who are not able to access our online services and weekly announcements; those members are currently receiving “hard copies” of announcements, sermons, etc. They will be contacted about receiving Home Communion at least once during the season of Advent.
• Instructions for the Congregation
o Leave the consecrated wafer in the plastic bag and place the packet on a plate in a safe, clean place until the Sunday service.
o Ideally, this safe space for holding the consecrated wafer will provide a respectful context. Remember that consecrated means “set apart” or devoted to a particular purpose. So, if you are able, you might want to include a reminder of this purpose, such as a cross, an icon, flowers, or a candle. It is not necessary to create a home altar if that is not already part of your practice.
o Watch and participate in the live-streamed Eucharist on Sunday at 10 am.
o When the priest consumes their wafer, then you consume yours. All the wafers you receive need to be eaten before the end of the day Sunday and preferably in the context of the worship service.
o Please be mindful that all the wafers need to be eaten reverently, as you would receive Communion in church. This is a holy sacrament and should always be treated with respect.
o If for any reason you are not able to participate in the online service at 10 am, you have a few choices. You can watch it later in the day on Facebook, where it will show up as a recording, and consume the host at the appropriate time. Or you can set aside time on your own to pray through the Communion Under Special Circumstances service, which also has a place for consuming the host. Again, please do so respectfully and by the end of the day.
o If you find yourself unsure of how to proceed or needing assistance, please reach out to one of the clergy. We are here for you and want to support our whole community in being able to share in this holy sacrament as one Body!
