C040 Amend Canon III.4.1(a)
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
That the 79th General Convention amend Canon III.4.1(a) by removing the words “Eucharistic Minister" as follows:
Sec. 1 (a) A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed by the Ecclesiastical Authority to serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Evangelist, or Catechist. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons, and the duration of licenses shall be established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry.
And be it further
Resolved, That Canon III.4.6 be deleted and subsequent sections of Canon III.4 be renumbered accordingly.
Sec. 6 A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Explanation
The effect of this resolution would be to remove the licensed ministry of Eucharistic Minister from the Canons of The Episcopal Church. This would not eliminate the ability of lay persons to assist in the administration of the sacrament, but will make it a local license. Thus, the Bishop would no longer be the person issuing licenses for Eucharistic Minister, saving much unnecessary paperwork.