Guidelines and Requirements for Eucharistic Minister

Title III, Canon 4, Section 6

A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at the Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister 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.

Discernment

Candidates considering the ministry of Eucharistic Minister should confer with sponsoring clergy, spiritual directors, their Congregational Commission on Ministry, and other vocational guides to discuss honestly how to test a call.

Discernment Questions for those discerning a call to this ministry:

• How have I experienced God’s grace in my life?
• Have I asked God whether God might be calling me to this ministry?
• What would I tell someone if asked, “What is important to know about God?”
• What is ministry and what are things that I do that are ministry?
• What does the Baptismal Covenant mean to me?
• Who are persons who have been most influential in my growth as a Christian and what did I learn from them?
• How do I understand the mystery of the Eucharist?
• What is my experience of receiving the Eucharist?
• What gifts do I have that would be an asset for this ministry? What particular gifts do I bring now, and what gifts do I hope to develop/grow?
• What do I hope to help people understand or experience through my service as a Eucharistic Minister?

Qualities of Call

• Physical ability to handle the Eucharistic elements

Background Knowledge:

•  A basic knowledge of the Book of Common Prayer, and detailed knowledge of the rubrics therein concerning the administration of the Holy Eucharist.
• Names of the Eucharistic vessels and linens.
• A basic understanding of sacramental theology from the Catechism.
• Be familiar with the functions of acolytes, lectors and altar guild.

Skills

• Ability to administer the bread of the Eucharist in the various ways practiced in the Episcopal Church (in the hand, in the mouth, intinction).
• Ability to administer the wine of the Eucharist in the various ways practiced in the Episcopal Church (from the common cup, intinction from the common cup, use of an intinction cup).
• Knowledge of the words of administration for both Rite I and Rite II.
• Ability to assist the deacon or priest in the preparation of the altar and ablutions.
• Awareness and sensitivity to people with special needs, such as elderly, those with disabilities, and children.
• Ability to deal with unexpected occurrences related to administering the sacraments.

Education and Training Possibilities

• Training and mentoring by deacon, priest, and other Eucharistic Ministers

To be Licensed

•  Completion of Eucharistic Minister application available from your priest.
• Recommendation of Rector/Vicar/Priest-in-charge and Vestry/Bishop’s Committee
• Completion of Diversity Workshop is recommended.

To Renew Your License

•  Licenses are renewed in a set rotation every three years not based on date it was issued.
• Completion of Eucharistic Minister renewal application available from your priest.

Resources:

• Curry, The Rt. Rev. Bishop Michael. 2014. Eucharist: The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry. New Tracts For Our Times. YouTube. Accessed October 20, 2015. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Michael Curry speaks about the unity and beauty of the Eucharist.
• The Cup of Salvation, A Manual for Lay Eucharistic Ministers. Beth Wickenberg Ely, Morehouse Publishing, 2012
• Meditations for Eucharist Ministers, Faithful Servant Series. Beth Maynard. Morehouse Publishing, 1999
• Liturgy for Living. Charles F. Price and Louis Weil, Harper and Row, 1979
• Prayer Book Rubrics Expanded. Byron D. Stuhlman, Church Hymnal Corp., 1987
• The Meaning of Ritual. Leonel Mitchell, Paulist Press, 1977
• “Eucharistic Visitor, Your Ministry” available on the diocesan website.
• Malloy, Patrick. 2008. Celebrating the Eucharist A Practical Ceremonial Guide for Clergy and Other Liturgical Ministers. New York: Church Publishing Inc.
• Atkinson, Clifford W. 1988. A Lay Minister’s Guide to the Book of Common Prayer. Morehouse Publishing Co.