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St. James

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About Eucharist
About Eucharist

ABOUT COMMUNION (EUCHARIST)

In the Episcopal church, we have communion at almost every service held in the church building. You will be invited to the altar, and may receive  “in both kinds” – that is receive the bread and wine – or by receiving only the bread.  Celebrating communion is one way we express our relationship with God, our acceptance of Christ as our Savior and our common bond with each other. 

During this time, the priest will distribute the host (bread). The wine can be taken drinking from the communion cup, or by intinction.    For intinction, give the host to the chalice bearer who will dip the host into the wine and give it back to you to consume. Medical experts agree that the danger of transmitting communicable diseases by sharing the chalice (cup) is negligible.  All Episcopal churches use real wine; many, including St. James, use port.  The higher alcoholic content, along with the use of the silver chalice, and careful wiping of both inside and outside surface of the chalice and turning the chalice to present a "fresh surface" greatly reduces any risks.

If you feel uncomfortable about a common cup,  don’t worry.  Episcopalians believe Christ is equally present in both the consecrated bread and in the wine; “receiving one, the other, or both, get you no more (or less) in Christ’s presence.”  So you can receive the bread only, if you prefer.

You may receive a blessing, rather than taking Communion. Simply cross your hands over your chest when you are at the altar rail to indicate this.

The wine and host can also be brought to you at the pew if you have mobility problems. Just let an usher know of your need.  

To learn more about our hybrid services, and joining for in-peson worship, click here...

Eucharist “to go” (distributing bread without a community Eucharist) and “Virtual Communion” (such as a minister “blessing” bread and wine through a phone or internet connection) are prohibited by the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York.

Gluten intolerant? 
If you are gluten intolerant, we have gluten free (less than 0.01%) wafers. Simply let the priest know when you come to the altar rail.  Our priest consectrates gluten-free hosts each time we offer Holy Eucharist.
Liturgical Practices
At the "passing the peace" we generally shake hands and say "God's peace be with you," "May the peace of the Lord be with you," or something similar.  But, passing the peace need not involve physical contact.  You can always simply greet people with a nod, make the sign of the peace with your hands, or bow. 
HAND SANITIZERS are available at the back of the church and on the table in the hallway leading to the Parish Hall.  Please feel free to use them.  The Center for Disease Control recommends frequent hand washing with soap and warm/hot water as the best way to fight germs.  Hand sanitizers are the next best alternative.  In case you are wondering, there is a container of hand sanitizer at the altar which our Priests and Lay Eucharistic Ministers use, as appropriate, before handling Communion items.  As one parish member commented, “Purell is the new Lavabo.”  Don’t know what a Lavabo is?  Ask one of the “old timers.” HINT: Lavabo "I shall wash"
      Contact us if your have any questions or needs.
    St. James Episcopal Church
    9 Williams Str
    eet • Clinton, New York 13323  • 315 853 5359
    C. Richer, website adminstrator