1. Eucharistic Visitor (EV)
Training
© Copyright 2007 The Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real
9/28/2007

2. In Today’s Meeting We will cover: Requirements for EV’s
Types of visits
The Communion Service
Pastoral Concerns
Some Things to remember

3. Who Can Be An EV A Confirmed Adult
A Person selected by His/Her Rector/Vicar
Licensed by the Bishop as a Eucharistic Minister (EM)

4. Types of Visitations Homebound Skilled Nursing Facility
Hospital Patient
Terminally Ill

5. Homebound
May have acute or chronic illness that prevents them from attending church

6. Skilled Nursing Facilities
People who have chronic illnesses requiring constant nursing care or procedures that cannot be performed at home.

7. Hospital Visits
People who have illnesses that require acute medical care
May be unable to receive communion
Unless the patient is sitting up and alert, visits should be brief

8. Terminally Ill May be unable to receive communion
Often will have family members present

9. Before You Arrive Pause and Center Be Prepared
A Prayer for the Eucharistic Visitor before a visit
Open my mind, O Lord, to the influence of your blessed Word. Teach me what you would have me know about suffering. Let knowledge chase away my preconceptions and misconceptions, and let love animate the understanding I gain, This I ask in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen

10. First Things First Call ahead to confirm the appointment
Administration of the Sacraments should take place immediately following the church service
Invite another adult EV to accompany you on the visit (preferably someone not related to you)

11. What to Bring A prepared Communion Kit
An Order of Services from Church (on Sundays) or else a collect for the day
Service booklets
Always check the kit Be sure it has consecrated wine, consecrated wafers, something for a corporal, and purificators

12. More What to Bring A copy of the Gospel for the day Bible
Notes from sermon or readings
A flower from altar bouquet, if appropriate

13. The Communion Kit Each Kit should contain the following:
A cruet of consecrated wine
A Pyx with enough consecrated wafers
A corporal
A small chalice
A small paten

14. How It’s Done Introduce yourself and state your purpose
Allow some time to converse – quietly
Ask for permission to touch the recipient
Remember confidentiality
Touching can be as simple as a hand shake. However, be judicious

15. More How It’s done Observe healthy personal boundaries
Avoid visits at mealtimes
Make thoughtful conversation

16. Service Booklets
Page 396 of the BCP outlines the service for communion under Special Circumstances
St. Andrew’s used that outline to compose their booklet
Hand out copies of St. Andrew’s booklet.

17. Setting Up
Ask those present if they would like to participate in the service
Clear a clean space for the corporal, chalice, and paten
Cleanse your hands

18. Setting Up Continued
After an appropriate pause, remove the contents of the kit and place on corporal
Place a wafer for each person on the paten (if needed, wafers may be broken)
Pour wine into the chalice

19. Pastoral Concerns There are three pastoral concerns:
A Ministry of Presence
A Ministry of Healing
A Ministry of Hope

20. A Ministry of Presence
Focus on the person and give them your full attention
Leave your baggage at the door
Do not have an agenda

21. A Ministry of Healing Through the Eucharist we are being made whole
We are nourished, strengthened, renewed, and healed

22. A Ministry of Hope Hope is a good that is yet to be
The Eucharist is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet

23. Things to Remember
Discuss concerns/needs which may be included in the prayers
Assess any physical needs regarding receiving the bread or wine
Normally you will serve the recipient first, others, yourself
Consume remaining elements

24. More Things to Remember
Listen, acknowledge, paraphrase, empathize. Allow for silence
Observe facial expressions and body language
Practice hospitality, be sensitive to time, space, and conversation

25. Even More Things to Remember
Before you leave, ask if they would like to be visited again
Ask how church can respond to needs, and, most importantly, follow through
Remember that you are a guest in another person’s private space

26. Afterwards
Reflect on your visit – examine your own attitudes and feelings
Consider what went well and what could be improved
Return kit to church and record your visit per parish procedure

27. Finally Some Don’ts Don’t Overstay your visit Sit on beds
Stare at medical equipment
Constantly look at your watch
Get involved in family disputes
Tell horror stories
Finish their sentences for them
Bring food with you
Talk too much about your experiences
Overstaying the visit could tire out the sick person.

28. Useful Prayers from the BCP
For the Sick (Mary Magdalene) Pg 242
For the Sick Pg 458
For The Human Family Pg 815
For the Mission of the Church Pg 816
For the Parish Pg 817
For the Right Use of God’s Gifts Pg 827
For Families Pg 828
For Those Who Live Alone Pg 829
For the Aged Pg 830
For a Birthday Pg 831
For Those We Love Pg 831
For a Person In Trouble or Bereavement Pg 831
For Guidance Pg 832
For Quite Confidence Pg 832
For Protection Pg 832
General Thanksgiving Pg 836

29. EV Blessings
If someone asks you for a blessing, you cannot bless, only priest bless.
You may, however, say the following words:
“We ask God’s blessing on you.”
Your priest may have some other words for you to say, so check with them first
Do not lay hands on them or do the sign of the cross on the forehead