Abstract
This article forms part of the change agents special collection. It investigates the way the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) has engaged the question of practicing Holy Communion in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Mainly using communiques by the Office of the Presiding Bishop and contributions made by clergy and laity on the practice of online worship services, and Holy Communion in particular, the article not only describes points of contention but also matters for consideration in balancing church polity whilst being contextually present and relevant. The article then celebrates the work of the Doctrine, Ethics and Worship Commission (DEWCOM) of the MCSA in potentially providing a way forward for the denomination that holds polity and relevance together in meaningful tension.Contribution: This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa on how the sacrament of Holy Communion should be practiced in the context of a social lockdown as precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
On 23 March 2020, in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that commencing from 27 March 2020, the country was to go into a 21-day nationwide lockdown
This article traced the trajectory of the discussion on the practice of Holy Communion in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
This article further engaged the communiques of the Office of the Presiding Bishop, as well as the contributions made by clergy and laity on the practice of Holy Communion using online platforms
Summary
On 23 March 2020, in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that commencing from 27 March 2020, the country was to go into a 21-day nationwide lockdown. It seems as if online celebrations of the sacrament of Holy Communion meet a contextual need, but it cannot be the norm once we move back to a sense of normality It is as if the COVID-19 pandemic has given the entire world, including the church a wake-up call. In April 2020, the Office of the Presiding Bishop mandated the Doctrine, Ethics and Worship Committee (DEWCOM) to facilitate a theological discussion on Holy Communion in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic This discussion elicited numerous contributions from Methodist Clergy and Laity, and addressed various issues on Eucharistic theology in relation to our liturgical practice, sacramental living and the socio-economic inequalities that characterise our Connexion. While diverse responses to this question were articulated, the preponderance of theological opinion concluded that ‘online’ Holy Communion, within this context, could be practiced with theological integrity, subject to a number of conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
