Arrangements for Holy Communion
At its meeting in March 2020, the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) approved temporary guidelines for Uniting Church congregations and faith communities to celebrate Holy Communion as part of online worship.
"At this moment, we cannot gather together in our usual ways, because of the restrictions designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, and to keep vulnerable people safe," said Uniting Church President Dr Deidre Palmer in a Pastoral Letter explaining the decision.
"Following prayer, shared conversation and listening to the Spirit and each other, the ASC has approved online gatherings for worship with Holy Communion in accordance with ASC guidelines.
"The decision whether to offer online Holy Communion in worship will be the responsibility of the Church Council with the Minister,” said Dr Palmer.
"There will be Uniting Church congregations and members who choose not to celebrate Holy Communion in this way, but instead choose to wait until they are able to physically meet."
The guidelines are a temporary pastoral measure for the period of COVID-19 isolation measures, with permission granted until May 2022 (the time of the reconvened 16th Assembly meeting).
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