Eucharistic visitation has long been one of the ways that the St. James’ community puts these words into action: “Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at this table.” Now that we have resumed celebrations of the Holy Eucharist at 8 am and 6 pm (in Spanish), and 4 pm every other week for families with children, we are eager to send those who join us out with holy gifts for the people of God.
Would you like to be trained as a eucharistic visitor? Would you like to receive an eucharistic visit from time to time to share in the sacrament of the table? Take a look at this FAQ:
WHO
Who can be a eucharistic visitor? It’s not just the clergy who can make eucharistic visits. There are two types of eucharistic visitors.
1) There are those who take communion to members of their own household or bubble. For example, perhaps your parents do not yet feel comfortable attending outdoor public services of worship, but you do, and you sometimes see them on Sundays. We can equip you to celebrate the feast with them. To do this, you need to receive the eucharistic visitor training, and sign up for a kit by the Thursday prior to the Sunday.
2) There are those who take communion to people outside of their own household or bubble. These eucharistic visitors need to receive the eucharistic visitor training, be trained through Safeguarding God’s People, and make visits with another Safeguarded, trained person.
Who can receive eucharistic visitation? If your household or bubble (2 or 3 households who gather on a regular basis) is not currently able to participate in outdoor gatherings for worship, but would like to receive communion periodically as described below, please notify us by filling out the form below. We will work with you to get you into the rotation.
WHAT
What is a eucharistic visit like? Eucharistic visitors are sent out with a communion kit from a service of public worship. If possible, visits are made outdoors, perhaps on your porch in a distanced and masked manner. It may be workable to conduct a visit at a window or through a screen door if that makes someone feel more comfortable. Where mobility issues make it necessary, a visit may take place indoors, but such visits are very short (10 minutes). Indoor visits with members of your own household do not involve the same time limits.
The eucharistic visitor will lead those gathered in a brief liturgy, which includes proclamation of the gospel, confession, prayer, and sharing of the bread of life. This can be a beautiful time of connection, and we encourage those making outdoor visits to not rush or visits to their own household/bubble not to rush. Currently, we are sharing communion in only one kind (bread only). Gluten free is available upon request.
WHEN
When do eucharistic visits occur? Based on our tradition, we send eucharistic visitors directly from our table of worship to you. So, a visitor coming from the 8 am service might arrive around 9:30 am. A visitor from the 4 pm Children’s service might arrive around 5:15 pm. A visitor from our 6 pm service in Spanish might arrive around 7:30 pm. We are not asking eucharistic visitors to make more than one visit in one day.
