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| John Bee and John Leech sharing communion in Edmonds City Park (photo: Christine Sine) |
The Episcopal Church basically went online Tuesday March 17th ... and it looks like that is the order of the day for many dioceses (regional judicatories) at least through late May or the end of May ... So the people of the church have been telephoning, emailing, video conferencing, to pray together, worship together, and visit with each other. After an extended period of Eucharistic-centered devotions (which in some senses will never end) we have rediscovered and deepened our appreciation of daily devotions at home or with others via zoom, web chat, facebook, facetime, youtube, email, phone... and felt gratitude when we can get outdoors and enjoy Spring.
Just this past week, pastors of dioceses in Western states, such as Bishop Rickel in Seattle and Bishop Reddall in Phoenix, have begun to discuss with their clergy and people when and how "re-opening" will occur. We are in Phase I of 4 phases: that is a long way from the sensual church - the engagement of all five senses in worship - that Nawshir Mirza of Mumbai recalls so fondly in his letter.
For the now, those who can take Eucharist must take it not only for themselves, but for all those, present, past, and future, who may not.
And in the meantime, we turn necessity toward invention. What we have gained, as we have lost some contact through our five senses, are ways not common to many - but to some - before this time, of making connection without touch, sight, smell, taste, or feel being easy communication.
Occasionally in Seattle the Rev. Phil Jackson invited me to lead TV Eucharist - two or more of us would gather, on a local television stage, and share communion; five thousand would watch. To see another take communion is not the same, but it is not nothing.
Indeed we do something even more insubstantial regularly without a qualm. We pray for each other.
There is no greater communion than that.
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