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What is a Eucharistic
Minister/Visitor and what does s/he do?
According
to Episcopal Church Canons, a Eucharistic Minister shall have one or both of
the following functions, as specified in the license.
A) Administering
the elements at any Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the absence of a
sufficient number of Priests or Deacons.
(Training for this capacity takes
place in the home parish;the license
is then granted by the Bishop, upon the formal request of the Rector/Vicar).
B) Directly
following a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, taking the sacrament consecrated
at that Celebration to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or
infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration.
(Training for this ministry is
offered by the Diocese.The license is
granted by the Bishop upon completion of the training.)
What are the requirements
for becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister A (a.k.a. Chalice Bearer)?
At
the request of your Rector (or Vicar), the Bishop issues a license for a
specific period of time. Renewal is at
the priest's request and the Bishop's discretion. Training is conducted in the parish, by the Rector (or Vicar).
What are the requirements
for becoming a Eucharistic Visitor (a.k.a. LEM)?
Step 1. Start by speaking with your Rector (or Vicar). You
will need his/her endorsement to enroll in Eucharistic Visitor training.
Step 2. Complete the Declaration of Intent and mail to
Diocesan House.
Step 3. Engage in practical training in your parish under
the direction of your Rector/Vicar.
Step 4. Successfully complete the following two workshops:
Basic
Training for Eucharistic Visitors
This
hands-on workshop will demonstrate the preparation needed to make an effective
visit and to be equipped both spiritually and practically to carry out this
ministry.
Prevention of
Adult Sexual Misconduct (Safe Church Training)
This
workshop will focus on issues of sexual harassment in employee, mentor and
colleague relationships, and sexual exploitation
in pastoral relationships.
INFORMATION ON UPCOMING
WORKSHOPS IS AVAILABLE FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER.
Step 5. Complete an Application for Licensing as a
Eucharistic Visitor with your Rector's (or Vicar's) recommendation, and submit it to Diocesan House.
What is the duration of a
Eucharistic
Visitor's License?
Both
Eucharistic Minister and Eucharsitic Visitor licenses (A & B) are ordinarily valid for a period
of three years, through Advent of the third year. An additional request to the Bishop must be made for subsequent
renewal of a Eucharistic Minister/Visitor licenses.
"Because there is one
bread,
we who are many are one
body,
for we all partake of the
one bread."
I
Corinthians 10: 17
For
additional information, please contact Debbie Smith at the Diocesan
offices at 274-4500, x240 or debbie {at} episcopalri.org.
Revised: May, 2000
