Restoration of the Chalice

Restoration of the Chalice

On Easter Sunday the chalice will once more be available for the whole congregation.  I would like to assure you however, that  the doctrine of concomitance assures us that we make a full communion if we receive in only one kind, and some of you may wish to continue in this way.

Reception in both kinds is Our Lord’s ordinance and because the Common Cup demonstrates our common life – indeed our life together in Christ.  The restoration of the chalice to the faithful was a profound counter-cultural moment in the Reformation and it is properly and joyously counter-cultural now.  We ought to resist the individualisation of our religious life as something that colludes with the diminished of common life. To drink from a Common Cup in our baptismal dignity, each communicant a member of God’s beautiful and diverse people, reminds us that we have one Saviour and together are part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church worshipping the One true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We will also relax the expectation of wearing mask, you are of course welcome to wear a mask to protect yourself and others.  You may also choose to continue to sit so as to create distance.  Please continue to respect others who may wish to keep more distance.  Please respect this in relation to the fact that while some may be happy to shake hands or have physical contact others may not so please ask.