A Note from the Rector, September 7, 2022
A Note from the Rector, September 7th
In just a few days we will begin offering two services on Sundays:
- 8a.m. - an early, contemplative service, no music; and
- 10:15a.m.- service with organ, choir, and congregational singing.
Both services will offer Eucharist (Communion) and it may be received at the altar rail (standing or kneeling) in addition to what we have offered at the base of the chancel steps (standing) the past year and a half. The sacrament will continue to be brought to anyone in the pews who needs to receive it there. I will provide specific verbal instructions about all of this for the next several Sundays in worship as we continue to move forward from the wilderness experience of Covid 19 and its variants.
A brief heads-up about how we move in and out of the altar area. I am making a change to reduce the chance of someone tripping and falling, a risk just waiting to happen, as people step over and around kneeling legs and feet. Here’s the plan:
- Come up the center aisle as directed by the ushers and stop at the base of the steps. Someone will be there to indicate how many may go up to the altar rail at one time. No one will be standing between the choir stalls as in the past.
- Move to stand or kneel at the altar rail filling in from left to right. Remain standing a moment before kneeling if someone would need to step over your feet to get to the right of you.
- Receive the sacrament, exit out the door to the left, following the person to your left, and return to your pew. (Please do not step over one another but rather wait a moment for the person to your left to move.)
- The next group will then be invited to the rail, filling it from left to right, and so on.
This should allow for ease of movement by everyone, especially those who may be assisting another to the rail. It will take some getting used to this new pattern and it will feel awkward at first. Let’s take our time and care for one another. The change shouldn’t make everything take much longer. It may even allow for grace and peace as we receive the sacrament. If there is something we learn along the way, we can always adapt, right? And, as I mentioned at the outset, there will be a station at the center aisle as in past weeks, and we will come with the sacrament to those in the pews as needed.
This Sunday we will also have a wonderful time of fellowship, food, conversation, and a chance to see the various ministries happening from this parish right after the 10:15 a.m. service. Perhaps one is calling to you! I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Faithfully with you on the way,
Terri+