Reader Response

Keep Communion Safe

From Brian Freese • Athens, Georgia Jul 26, 2008 I never really realized the impact of food allergies on my fellow Episcopalians and how devastating it could be if you couldn't partake in the Eucharist because of those allergies.

Is there a huge difference in cost for gluten-free wafers?  I wonder if it would be just as easy to use them for everyone, and if gluten isn't healthy, then maybe we should. Peace be with you.

Keep Communion safe

From Ian Chamberlin • Phoenix, Arizona Jul 26, 2008 Outreach to folks who cannot consume the wheat host is very important. I believe it is part of the wider message of "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You". I want to let the author of this article know that Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix will be at the ready should she visit our parish. The Blessed Sacrament Ministry, which is affiliated with the Integrity USA Circle at Trinity Cathedral, makes and keeps a stock of gluten-free wafers at Trinity Cathedral at all times. In addition we make these special wafers available free of charge to parishes in the Phoenix, AZ, area. At Trinity Cathedral we reach out to persons needing gluten-free hosts to ensure that if they wish they can commune with us.

We encourage churches to make these wafers on their own (we can provide a recipe) or order them from ENER-G in order to welcome all people to the Lord's table.

Keep Communion safe

From John R. Irwin • Cleveland, Ohio Jul 25, 2008 I regret to see such distorted and misleading information on the church's website.  As much as I may be sympathetic to patients suffering from celiac disease, to claim that 5% of the parishioners suffer from such a condition is grossly inaccurate and I assume only meant to inflame.

According to the NIH, "Recent findings estimate about 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease, or about 1 in 133 people." This is far different from the author's claim of 1 in 20 (5%).

If we are going to educate and try to enlist people to assist, we must at least be scientifically accurate.  This article is not.

Keep Communion safe

From Marj Dower • Sykesville, Maryland Jul 25, 2008 Wouldn't it be safer, easier and just as meaningful  for you to buy your own unconsecrated  wafers, mark them or nick them in a unique way and make them available to the parish priest to consecrate them along with the others? This is what I do.

» More Reader Responses