Saturday, May 17 //
Dear St. Stephen’s community,
We have received word from Bishop Loya that all parishes in ECMN are expected to return solely to the use of the common cup by Sunday, June 8th. For our parish, this will mean returning to our pre-COVID Communion practice of receiving wine from the chalice only. We will use the little wine cups for the next few weeks before discontinuing their use on Sunday, June 8th.
In his communication to clergy in Minnesota about this change, Bishop Loya emphasizes that the little cups used during the pandemic were never meant to permanently replace drinking from the chalice, a practice dating back to at least the fourth century. In making this change, we will be joining the significant majority of other dioceses across The Episcopal Church which have already returned exclusively to the use of the common cup.
To address the ever-present health concerns in our day and age, Bishop Loya cites studies showing the minimal risk of drinking from the common cup, which can be found here and here. He emphasizes that the practice of intinction, or dipping the bread into the wine with our fingers, is less hygienic and he discourages churches from continuing that practice. Beginning on Sunday, June 8th, in alignment with the bishop’s expectations, our parish will discontinue the practice of intinction and ask that parishioners no longer dip the bread into the wine.
We recognize that the use of small cups has become a comfortable option for Communion within our parish. Please understand that – your choice to partake in both bread and wine, or only one or the other, is completely valid and considered full participation in the practice and spiritual benefits of Communion.
Acknowledging that this represents a significant shift for many in our community, we invite you to join us for Adult Forum: The Common Cup from 9-10 AM next Sunday, May 25th. We will come together to learn and reflect on Holy Communion and the role of the common cup in our faith community.
As we move into this transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for further conversation on this topic.
Rev. Christy & Fr. Tom
