10/16/2014

A Note to the Synod From Bishop Dillahunt On The Study: “Table And Font - Who Is Welcome?” Oct 2014

Greetings my sisters and brothers, in the name of Jesus Christ.

As I continue to visit and hear from congregations and rostered leaders in the Southern Ohio Synod on a variety of subjects, some of your recent questions have been about the study guide published by the ELCA Office of Worship entitled: “Table and Font: Who is Welcome?” This guide, which was issued in August of this year, is an invitation from Presiding Bishop Eaton and ELCA worship director Kevin Strickland to all ELCA congregations to discuss our practices surrounding the issue of who is invited to Holy Communion during our worship services. This conversation is taking place because congregations across the ELCA do not have a uniform practice. The 2013 Churchwide Assembly therefore passed a resolution asking that we begin a dialogue about what our practices surrounding Eucharistic hospitality actually are. For example, in some churches, there may be a bulletin announcement that states: “All baptized Christians are welcome to the Lord’s Table.” Another congregation communes baptized Christians "who believe in the real presence,” while still another may have the pastor announce “all are welcome to the table.” This fact exists despite the existence of the ELCA teaching document: “The Use of the Means of Grace,” which establishes as our norm and practice that our congregations should “commune the baptized.”

After hearing from a number of you, I think it important to outline for you what this study is, and what it is not. First, let’s clarify what it is not. This is NOT a study to revisit and vote on “The Use of the Means of Grace.” This point was reiterated at the Conference of Bishops last week. We, as a church, are talking about our practices, but we will not be voting on a change in policy regarding Eucharistic hospitality. Communing the baptized is the norm for our congregations.

So what is this study? It’s a call to discuss “The Use of the Means of Grace” in our congregations, to reflect together how we, as a church, are living with this teaching document in practice, to discuss the pastoral decisions being made every Sunday about who and who not to commune, and to discuss why and where changes to the norm may be happening. So this is an assessment of where we are as a church on this issue, and why.

Because of the importance of these issues in the faith and life of the church, I have also asked The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Peterson, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, to conduct a ministerium for rostered leaders in the Southern Ohio Synod on March 17, 2015 on the relationship between the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. The time and location will be announced as soon as we have the information available.

In the meantime, I encourage congregations in this synod to hold these conversations, and give feedback. The materials are available at www.elca.org/resources/worship. In addition, Kevin Strickland, in the ELCA Office of Worship, is willing to answer any questions you might have. Please send your thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns to Worship@ELCA.org.

As we continue to live as church for the sake of the world, it is my prayer that we will do so as faithful, knowledgeable “stewards of the mysteries of God”. 1 Cor. 4:1. Conversation together about how we fulfill this calling is one way to foster that faithfulness, and our common mission together.

Peace to you,

The Rev. Suzanne D. Dillahunt, Bishop