Administration of Holy Communion in the Face of the COVID-19 Outbreak

On Thursday, 5 March 2020, Archbishop Melissa Skelton issued a Pastoral Directive on the administration of Holy Communion during this COVID-19 outbreak.  A Pastoral Directive is not undertaken lightly and its directions are to be followed in every parish and worshipping community of the Diocese.  

Archbishop Melissa is sending out this directive to help protect the health and wellbeing of everyone in our churches. Key points are

• It is no longer possible to "intinct" (dip the bread into the wine).
• We will only use silver chalices and patens (which is our practice at HTC).
• All communion administrants will wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after administering communion.
• Communion administrants will get a refresher on how to administer wine.

Archbishop Melissa also reminds us that receiving only bread or only wine is the same as receiving both.

Please do not hesitate to talk to the Ven. Richard Leggett, the Rev. Tasha Carrothers or the Rev. Carole Neilson if you have any questions.

Click here to read Archbishop Skelton's Pastoral Directive.