Holy Communion

Occuring
Every Wednesday at for 30 mins
Venue
St Giles' Durham
Address
St Giles Church Gilesgate Durham, DH1 1QQ, United Kingdom

A short Eucharist, also known as a short communion service, is a condensed version of the traditional Christian Eucharist or Holy Communion. In this type of service, the focus is primarily on the celebration of the Eucharist itself, with minimal additional elements like hymns and sermons. The purpose of a short Eucharist is to streamline the worship experience and make it more accessible and time-efficient, typically lasting around 30 minutes.

The key components of a short Eucharist may include:

Opening prayers and greetings: The service begins with an opening prayer or a welcome message, setting the tone for the worship.

Penitential rite (optional): A brief moment of reflection and confession of sins may be included, followed by the absolution, allowing participants to seek forgiveness and renewal.

Liturgy of the Word: This segment usually involves readings from the Bible, including passages from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospel. A short reflection or homily may be given, but it is typically kept concise.
Sharing of the Peace: Participants exchange greetings, wishing peace upon one another as a symbol of reconciliation and unity within the community.
Eucharistic Prayer: This is the central part of the service, where the consecration of bread and wine takes place, representing the body and blood of Christ. The priest or minister leads the congregation in prayers of consecration and thanksgiving.
Distribution of the Eucharist: The consecrated bread and wine (or grape juice) are shared among the congregation. In some cases, communicants may come forward to receive the elements, while in others, they may remain seated, and the elements are brought to them.
Closing prayers and blessings: The service concludes with final prayers and blessings, offering thanks for the sacrament and seeking God's guidance in daily life.
After the service, there may be an option for tea and coffee, providing an opportunity for fellowship and conversation among the attendees.

It's important to note that the exact order and elements of a short Eucharist may vary depending on the denomination and specific church practices. Some churches may include additional elements like hymns, a longer sermon, or more extensive readings, while others opt for brevity and simplicity in their worship format.

St Giles' Durham

We are 900 year old Church of England (Anglican) Church in the heart of Gilesgate in Durham City. Follow our website and social media for details of parish, services and events. Ours is a friendly and welcoming place of worship - do come and visit. 

We have a toddlers group every Tues and Thurs morning - please see further details on our website under Little Lights. We also have a church hall to hire for community events. 

St Giles is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs.  For further information, see below or our safeguarding policy at www.stgilesdurham.org.uk/safeguarding 

Get in touch

St Giles' Parish Office - email: [email protected]

St Giles' Church
Church Lane
Gilesgate
Durham

DH1 1QQ
Greg Jarvis - Parish Administrator
0191 374 1079
Reverend Father John Fisher
07377 146 110

Our website

What's on

Holy Communion

Occuring
Every Wednesday at for 30 mins
Venue
St Giles' Durham
Address
St Giles Church Gilesgate Durham, DH1 1QQ, United Kingdom

A short Eucharist, also known as a short communion service, is a condensed version of the traditional Christian Eucharist or Holy Communion. In this type of service, the focus is primarily on the celebration of the Eucharist itself, with minimal additional elements like hymns and sermons. The purpose of a short Eucharist is to streamline the worship experience and make it more accessible and time-efficient, typically lasting around 30 minutes.

The key components of a short Eucharist may include:

Opening prayers and greetings: The service begins with an opening prayer or a welcome message, setting the tone for the worship.

Penitential rite (optional): A brief moment of reflection and confession of sins may be included, followed by the absolution, allowing participants to seek forgiveness and renewal.

Liturgy of the Word: This segment usually involves readings from the Bible, including passages from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospel. A short reflection or homily may be given, but it is typically kept concise.
Sharing of the Peace: Participants exchange greetings, wishing peace upon one another as a symbol of reconciliation and unity within the community.
Eucharistic Prayer: This is the central part of the service, where the consecration of bread and wine takes place, representing the body and blood of Christ. The priest or minister leads the congregation in prayers of consecration and thanksgiving.
Distribution of the Eucharist: The consecrated bread and wine (or grape juice) are shared among the congregation. In some cases, communicants may come forward to receive the elements, while in others, they may remain seated, and the elements are brought to them.
Closing prayers and blessings: The service concludes with final prayers and blessings, offering thanks for the sacrament and seeking God's guidance in daily life.
After the service, there may be an option for tea and coffee, providing an opportunity for fellowship and conversation among the attendees.

It's important to note that the exact order and elements of a short Eucharist may vary depending on the denomination and specific church practices. Some churches may include additional elements like hymns, a longer sermon, or more extensive readings, while others opt for brevity and simplicity in their worship format.

Safeguarding

"Our parish of Durham: St Giles is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of Durham’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO
Matthew Foskett 07582 368016 email; [email protected] or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Beth Miller 0796 8034075 If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services."