Lay Eucharistic Ministry

Lay Eucharistic Ministry is accomplished by selected, trained, appointed, and then licensed lay persons (i.e. not ordained church members) who assist in the administration of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist/Holy Communion. Within Lay Eucharistic Ministry there are two categories: Eucharistic Ministers (EM’s) and Eucharistic Visitors (EV’s). Both positions are required by Episcopal canon law to be licensed (i.e. be selected, trained, and officially approved).

Eucharistic Ministers (EM’s)
EM’s are worship leaders alongside the clergy, acolytes, choir, lectors, etc. They are responsible for administering the consecrated wine which is the Blood of Christ (see John 6:53-57 and Luke 22:19-20). Because we believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated elements of bread and wine, there is a deep responsibility to Christ and to the Church in the way the Sacrament is given to others. Faith, understanding, dignity, respect, decorum, and compassion all play a part in the Chalice Bearers ministry of giving the Cup of the New Covenant to Christ’s disciples.

Eucharistic Visitors (EV’s)
EV’s are responsible for taking the consecrated elements, both the bread and the wine, to those who are sick, housebound, or cannot come regularly to receive the Eucharist. This requires all that is required of a Eucharistic Minister and also the ability to be pastoral, sensitive, observant, a good listener, and familiar with a basic liturgy in the course of administering Holy Communion to persons of the congregation who are often in a home or hospital setting (see Matthew 25:34-40 and James 1:27). In addition to being licensed, Eucharistic Visitors are also required to:

• Complete a background check.
• Be certified in Safeguarding God’s People
• Understand the “Two by Two Policy”

Cautions
It is the practice of the ancient Church, of the the Episcopal Church, and of the Lutheran Church, that the consecration of Holy Communion is done by a duly ordained pastor/priest or a bishop. These are persons the Church holds as selected by God and accepted by the Church for this very holy ministry. The Eucharist is neither to be made in the absence of a pastor/priest or a bishop. The Eucharist, previously consecrated, may be distributed to others by licensed Eucharistic Visitors while no pastor/priest or bishop is present. And ordained pastors/priests and bishops are not to celebrate the Eucharist alone, being without another person to represent the Church.

If Holy Communion is not available to you, please see “When Eucharist is Not Available: Prayers for Communion with Christ.“

General Requirements

License Application for a Eucharistic Minister in the Diocese of Olympia

Renewal Application for a Eucharistic Minister in the Diocese of Olympia

License Application for a Eucharistic Visitor in the Diocese of Olympia

Renewal Application for a Eucharistic Visitor in the Diocese of Olympia

Eucharistic Visitor Policy: “Two by Two”

Enriching Our Worship 2: Ministry With the Sick and Dying with Burial of a Child. See pp. 13-22 for more instruction on this ministry. See pp. 59-63 for the liturgy and further instructions.

The Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament. Copyright 1997, the ELCA. See especially pp. 44-53.