All Saints Episcopal Church

“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy!”

Psalm 43:4

The sacrament of Holy Communion is the climax of our weekly worship. There are many names for the offering and receiving of this holy meal and the prayers and praise that accompany it. One of the most ancient is “Eucharist”, an ancient Greek word for “thanksgiving.” Since New Testament times certain persons have been chosen (“ordained”) to represent the assembly of Christian people at the holy table, giving voice to the gratitude of all for the gift of life and salvation in Jesus Christ. The charismatic leadership of the first church communities became institutionalized as “orders” of ministry, whose titles still reflect their original functions—Bishops (“overseers”), Priests (“elders”), and Deacons (“attendants”).

However, service at the Lord’s Table is the ministry of the whole Christian people, and so it is fitting that laypersons should also play an active part. Eucharistic Ministers at All Saints, like in the Episcopal Church generally, do this in two ways. The first is by assisting at the altar during worship services. Eucharistic Ministers light and extinguish the altar candles, receive the people’s money offering from the ushers, and help the clergy prepare and administer the bread and wine to the congregation. A second kind of Eucharistic Ministry, also called Eucharistic Visitation, involves bringing the sacrament, and the prayers of the community, to those who are unable to be present in church.

If you are interested in being trained and licensed to serve as a Eucharistic Minister and/or Eucharistic Visitor, contact our office at 624-3883.