St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition...

Who may give the bread?

Q. I noticed the other Sunday when the organist was away that you opted out of giving the bread at Holy Communion and had someone else do it, so that you could play the organ for the communion hymns. Is this a right way for a vicar to behave?

A. Yes. There are two aspects to this question: first - who should do what at communion, and second - what should happen with the music when the organist is away?

About who does what at communion, the Church of England (along with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches) has decided that the thanksgiving prayer which is prayed over the bread and wine must be said by someone who has been ordained priest. However, once the prayer has been said, the bread and wine may be distributed by other people who aren't ordained. Most churches are used to this being done with the wine, and it is perfectly acceptable for it to be done with the bread as well.

The people who distribute bread and wine have to be acceptable to the congregation and authorised by the bishop. The Parochial Church Council have to agree to the people concerned (as the PCC would know who is "acceptable").

Many churches have communion given out at more than one rail, and of course the vicar cannot be in two places at once. And in some churches (e.g. Pudsey) you will find the clergy almost always go and sit down, and lay people distribute both bread and wine.

In our church, like many others, the vicar usually handles the bread. This means s/he can pray with children personally, and also pray with others who may wish it at the rail.

Incidentally, the bible has no rules at all about who does what at communion, and for this reason many free churches allow anyone to take an active part.

About who does the music, St Paul writes that at a church meeting, everyone should contribute to worship as s/he is able or inspired (1 Cor 12-14). In churches we tend to have organists simply because playing the organ is a highly-skilled job and you need someone good at it (as is painfully obvious when Roger is away and I step in!). But everyone should be able to exercise their gifts in worship, and I think that if the vicar is musical s/he should contribute in that way as well as in others. (There are several other local clergy who play instruments in worship: David Swales at Bolton, Paul Deo at Laisterdyke, Darren Garfield at St Andrew's.) As our finances are quite tight, it is my privilege to be able to help instead of us having to hire in an organist when Roger is away.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. October 2004, Page 8.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (October 2004) Staffing, Song, Ramadan, HC bread, Define God. Other questions to the clergy.	In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition... Who may give the bread? Q. I noticed the other Sunday when the organist was away that you opted out of giving the bread at Holy Communion and had someone else do it, so that you could play the organ for the communion hymns. Is this a right way for a vicar to behave? A. Yes. There are two aspects to this question: first - who should do what at communion, and second - what should happen with the music when the organist is away? About who does what at communion, the Church of England (along with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches) has decided that the thanksgiving prayer which is prayed over the bread and wine must be said by someone who has been ordained priest. However, once the prayer has been said, the bread and wine may be distributed by other people who aren't ordained. Most churches are used to this being done with the wine, and it is perfectly acceptable for it to be done with the bread as well. The people who distribute bread and wine have to be acceptable to the congregation and authorised by the bishop. The Parochial Church Council have to agree to the people concerned (as the PCC would know who is "acceptable"). Many churches have communion given out at more than one rail, and of course the vicar cannot be in two places at once. And in some churches (e.g. Pudsey) you will find the clergy almost always go and sit down, and lay people distribute both bread and wine. In our church, like many others, the vicar usually handles the bread. This means s/he can pray with children personally, and also pray with others who may wish it at the rail. Incidentally, the bible has no rules at all about who does what at communion, and for this reason many free churches allow anyone to take an active part. About who does the music, St Paul writes that at a church meeting, everyone should contribute to worship as s/he is able or inspired (1 Cor 12-14). In churches we tend to have organists simply because playing the organ is a highly-skilled job and you need someone good at it (as is painfully obvious when Roger is away and I step in!). But everyone should be able to exercise their gifts in worship, and I think that if the vicar is musical s/he should contribute in that way as well as in others. (There are several other local clergy who play instruments in worship: David Swales at Bolton, Paul Deo at Laisterdyke, Darren Garfield at St Andrew's.) As our finances are quite tight, it is my privilege to be able to help instead of us having to hire in an organist when Roger is away. John Hartley
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