Holy Communion is an expression of loving unity and ideally after our prayer of consecration each person participating in the service would be able to receive the bread and wine in their own homes. This was encouraged through the Life Event link up with ChurchEdit who provide the software for the CVB website: “If you would normally take communion then include this in your service, allowing viewers to partake at home. If you are going to do this, communicate with viewers beforehand so that they can have bread and wine ready.”
However, sometime after 31st March 2020 this statement was removed and the CofE are now encouraging “Spiritual Communion” without receiving the bread and wine. Therefore, until the CofE comes to a firm conclusion we must revert the priest receiving the bread and wine on behalf of the dispersed congregation.
The term ‘Spiritual Communion’ has been used historically to describe the means of grace by which a person, prevented for some serious reason from sharing in a celebration of the Eucharist, nonetheless shares in the communion of Jesus Christ.