In this week’s AtCT, I want to visit again with you about liturgical changes that we will employ beginning with Trinity Sunday in two days and throughout the summer.
The first change is in the way we come to receive Holy Communion. Many people miss kneeling (or standing) at the rail to receive the bread and wine. Given the Covid ChaosTM of the past two years, we purposively suspended quite most practices, and yet have slowly reintroduced many of them throughout the past year.
One that has eluded us to this point is drinking from the common cup to receive the communion wine. I reintroduced kneeling and what is called ‘intinction’ at the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services during Holy Week to see how this might bring us closer to what we were used to prior to March 2020.
Beginning this Sunday, you are invited to the altar rail to either kneel or stand to receive communion. For the distribution of the communion wine, you are invited to intinct (holding the communion wafer and dipping it into the common chalice) or you may go to the communion wine stations to participate in the wine by using the communion cups.
The symbolism of the common cup is a powerful one that speaks to our being united in one body in Christ through his death and resurrection. It is unfortunate that we do not have the same symbolism by sharing in one common loaf of bread, but that’s another article for another time!
Another thing to bring up is the use of the summertime frontal on the communion table. The frontal was designed and fashioned by Felicity Halse and is unique to our congregation. It depicts a Colorado mountain scene and reminds us of the great state in which we live and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. It will be in place on June 19 and be enjoyed throughout the summer months.
Felicity is a member of the Holy Comforters and is also serving on vestry.
This leads me to the final item I want to bring up. Last week I mentioned that we are seeking worship leaders and people to fulfil roles in the community. This led to a discussion on vestry that we post the Ministry Leadership “org chart” in the parish hall to give the whole church a sense of who does what ‘round here. Please look it over if perhaps God is calling you to serve in a particular way. If you are interested in learning more about a ministry, names of ministry leaders are included on the chart – just give them a call or drop them an email. They would love to speak with you, I’m sure.
And finally, a warm thanks to you for bringing yummy salads, desserts and side dishes to the annual Parish Picnic last Sunday, with a special shout out to Lindsay Leaman who organized everything and members of the vestry who undertook key roles.
Last but not least, anyone want to share the lemon poundcake dessert recipe? Asking for a friend!
-Chris