Eucharist Ministers and Visiting Ministers

A Eucharistic Minister (EM), also often called a chalice bearer, participates in the church’s most fundamental and communal form of worship – the Holy Communion.

The Holy Communion is one of the sacred rites of the Christian religion and is celebrated every Sunday, as well as on Holy Days and special occasions such as weddings and funerals.

In this rite, we are called to remember the life, resurrection and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ by sharing the meal of bread (the Body of Christ) and wine (the Blood of Christ), just as Jesus shared the last meal with his disciples.

EMs are the welcoming hosts of the Lord’s Supper and assist the clergy by bearing the chalice and serving the wine at the altar rail during the service.

On occasion, they also may help serve the bread.

Eucharistic Ministers are required to attend a training session and become licensed by the diocese. EMs also fulfill some of the roles of an acolyte – bearing the cross, helping to set the altar, etc.

A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

TRAINING REQUIRED

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has revised the Misconduct Prevention Training (Safe Church, Safe Communities): the Praesidium Safe Church Training is in accordance with the 2023 General Convention Resolution A064 to promote the Adoption and Use of Revised Praesidium Safe Church Training: visit page: https://www.thediocese.net/resources/administration/sexual-misconduct-prevention/

For all those individuals who wish to volunteer to be Lay Leadership Eucharistic Ministers and/or Eucharistic Visitors, please please contact the parish office for the next steps.