Another Poser for the PCC

How does our P.C.C. feel about the proposal to allow COMMUNION by EXTENSION?

? ? What are we talking about here?

This is a proposal which has come down to the parishes from the House of Bishops and is intended to provide help in those situations where there is one Vicar in charge of several churches. This is happening more and more often these days and in some areas, especially rural ones, there may be as many as four or five churches quite widely scattered, so that it is difficult for each congregation to be assured of a Sunday Service every week unless there are un- ordained people able to help out, such as Lay Readers.

We may be considered fortunate in our case, with three churches served by two ordained priests, but it is easy to understand the difficulties faced in less fortunate areas, especially when it comes to Holy Communion, for which the elements need to be consecrated by a priest.

What is envisaged is that Holy Communion will be held at one church, with the priest presiding and consecrating the elements in sufficient amount to provide also for the congregation at one or more of the other churches. As soon as possible after- wards, the second church will receive Holy Communion, using those consecrated elements, in a Service led by a person who is not an ordained priest but who will be a licensed Lay Reader or Lay Worker, will wear appropriate vesture, and will be trained and specifically authorised by the Bishop to carry out this duty. This will be regarded not as a separate Service in its own right but as an "extension" of the full Service in the first church.

We are already familiar with the communion of the sick, when the priest carries to the sick person's home elements which have been consecrated at a celebration of Holy Communion in church. The big difference here, of course, is that a Service of Communion by Extension would be a public church service carried out not by the priest but by an authorised lay person.

The Guidelines issued by the House of Bishops stress that the "service of Communion by Extension has been drawn up to make it clear that it is not in itself a celebration of Holy Communion, and yet enables a worshipping community to participate in Holy Communion 'by extension'. There is but one celebration of Holy Communion, from which the consecrated elements are brought."

The Guidelines also stress that special care must be given to the conduct of the Service and especially that "the consecrated elements are treated in a seemly and dignified manner." Moreover, no congregation should come to "rely mainly upon this means of eucharistic participation, and care should be taken to ensure that a celebration of Holy Communion takes place regularly in each church concerned."

How would you like your P.C.C. to respond to this proposal? It may not be relevant in our own situation, but would you see it as an acceptable way forward for those parishes more hard pressed than our own? Would you have any reservations about accepting the proposal in principle?

Your representatives on the P.C.C. would be glad to have your views and to be able to bear them in mind when it comes to formulating a decision.