Some years ago temporary permission
was given by the Diocese for communion to be administered from a forward
position in the Church. For this to happen a wooden carpeted dais was
constructed and temporary communion rails installed. This permission was
always for a limited period, and this time period has now expired. And so
the time has come for the position to be consolidated and at the same time
opportunity also taken to create a useful and adaptable area.
The wooden dais is being taken out
to create one level surface, thus restoring the floor to its original level
– a development which will also be particularly helpful to those in wheel
chairs or anyone using a stick to help with walking. The temporary
communion rails will go, to be replaced by custom-made free standing ones.
At the same time we are replacing the altar we currently use with a purpose
made new one and making the pulpit and priests’ stalls moveable. We are also
replacing the existing lectern with a new one and removing the front pew on
each side of the front pillars to create more space by the new communion
rails.
These improvements will have two
effects. Firstly we shall have fashioned a very attractive environment for
worship and especially for Holy Communion, very much in keeping with the
beauty of this ancient building.
Secondly, by making various items
moveable, we shall have created a space from the first pillars to the choir
stalls that if needs be can be completely free of furniture and so provide a
setting for an act of more informal worship, or for the wonderful plays that
we produce, or perhaps for a concert. For this purpose we shall also be
purchasing some highly adaptable staging units.
Finally we shall be re-ordering the
War memorial altar (to your right as you look down the Church). It has
always seemed that the original siting of the boards containing the names of
those who served our country from this community was unfortunate and that
they were not given the prominence that they deserve. Consequently as part
of the re-ordering we shall re-site the name boards above the War memorial
altar, which will then be formally rededicated at this year’s Remembrance
Day service. It will also give us the opportunity to add names that were
originally omitted.
Work will begin on Tuesday 25th
March and we shall keep everyone informed of any impact that the work
may have on the day to day life of the Church.
Sunday worship will not be
interrupted.
Of course there are costs involved
in all of this and we are very grateful to those who have given already. If
you would like to make a donation towards this exciting project please would
you make cheques payable to “PCC of Milford” with a covering note
identifying it for the chancel reordering?
Dominic, Matt and Chris – Vicar
and Church Wardens
…AND A LITTLE BIT OF
CHURCH HISTORY
For some of us who have grown up
with the tradition of going “up” for Communion to the main altar,
administration of Holy Communion from the body of the Church may seem
somewhat strange, even “un-Anglican.”
However it is worth remembering
that Archbishop Cranmer, the founding father of Anglicanism and the
presiding genius of the Book of Common Prayer, always intended Communion to
be shared “in the body of the church or in the chancel.”
(1552 rubrics of his Prayer Book)
and with the people gathered around the altar.
Originally there was to be no
special “sanctuary” reserved for Holy Communion, but rather the same space
was to be used for non-sacramental and sacramental services alike.
It was only later as a reaction
against Cranmer’s work and theological understanding of Holy Communion that
a different pattern was introduced. Now communicants went up to an altar
surrounded by a rail – which in itself was originally there to keep dogs
from fouling the altar area – but which then became the place at which
worshippers knelt to receive Communion.
We all have our own legitimate
preferences about where the celebration and reception of Communion happens,
based on our traditions and our own personal feelings. However we hope you
will find it helpful to be reminded just how faithful to the original vision
of sharing Holy Communion and to the heart of our Anglican tradition this
project truly is.
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