Dear Members and Friends of All Saints,
Please be advised that we will continue to have our regularly scheduled services at 9am and 11:15am on Sunday mornings as well as our regular Wednesday evening services at 7:15pm. We will, however, be adjusting our method of distributing communion in line with Diocesan and Provincial directions in a manner consistent with our sacramental theology.
The Prayer Book gives the following exhortation as the introduction to the Communion of the Sick service. This is a good reminder of where we put our trust, especially in times of trouble:
Forasmuch as all mortal men are subject to many sudden perils, diseases and sicknesses, and ever uncertain what time they shall depart out of this life; therefore, to the intent they may be always in readiness to die, whensoever it shall please Almighty God to call them, the Ministers shall diligently from time to time, but especially in the time of pestilence, or other infectious sickness, exhort their parishioners to the often receiving of the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, when it shall be publicly administered in the Church (emphasis added).
If you are feeling sick, especially with the symptoms of either the flu or COVID-19, please do stay home for the sake of yourself and others. And, of course, please do see your doctor if that is the case. At the end of the Communion of the Sick service, the following rubric addresses this other aspect of times of great sickness:
But if a man, either by reason of extremity of sickness, or for want of warning in due time to the Minister, or by any other just impediment, do not receive the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood, the Minister shall instruct him, that if he do truly repent him of his sins, and stedfastly believe that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the Cross for him, and shed his Blood for his redemption, earnestly remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving him hearty thanks therefor, he doth eat and drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ profitably to his soul’s health, although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth(emphasis added).
All of this is to encourage you all to use both faith and prudence during these times! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Rev. Cn. Isaac J. Rehberg
Rector
Rector
