Lay Readers & Chalice Bearers
Members who, after a period of training and examination, and at the request of the Rector, are licensed by the Bishop to assist the Clergy by leading parts of the liturgy and helping in the administration of Holy Communion.
Lay Readers |
Chalice Bearers (Lay Eucharistic Ministers) |
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A lay reader may lead the Daily Offices of the church. If needed, a lay reader may lead the liturgy for the Holy Eucharist through the prayers of the people, concluding with the Lord's Prayer and the grace, or with the exchange of the peace (BCP, p. 407). A lay reader may also lead the Burial Office (BCP, p. 490), as well as the Ash Wednesday liturgy (BCP, p. 269), the Palm liturgy (BCP, p. 272), and the Good Friday liturgy (BCP, p. 282). However, certain modifications in these services are required when led by a lay reader. There is no blessing of the people by a lay reader. A lay reader who leads the confession of sin at Morning or Evening Prayer is to use a modified form for the absolution that asks for God to "have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins," to "strengthen us in all goodness," and to "keep us in eternal life" (BCP, p. 80, emphasis added). A similar modification in the absolution is made by a lay reader who leads the penitential order at the beginning of the eucharist (BCP, p. 353). A lay reader who leads the Ash Wednesday service is to remain kneeling after the Litany of Penitence and substitute the prayer for forgiveness appointed at Morning Prayer. The Good Friday service concludes with the Lord's Prayer and a final prayer when the service is led by a lay reader.
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A chalice bearer, or lay eucharistic ministers, is a lay person licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. They may also be licensed to go from a Sunday eucharist or other principal celebrations of the eucharist to share the sacrament with members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the celebration because of illness or infirmity. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed for either or both ministries. This ministry is understood to be an extraordinary ministry, and is not to take the place of the ministry of priests and deacons concerning the administration of the eucharist. Prior to the current lay ministry canons, specially licensed lay readers administered the chalice at the eucharist and were known as "chalice bearers."
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