Celebrating the Eucharist

The Sheldon Community has Anglican roots and an ecumenical outlook and practice. We quietly develop liturgical resources that fit with our reflective style, have sufficient substance to bear the weight of constant repetition, and draw on a diversity of traditions and resources.

We are a lay Community and none of us preside ourselves. As part of our commitment to allowing guests to lay down their ministry roles for the duration of their stay, we don't invite people who are staying as guests to preside.

In a rural setting we don't have the opportunity for a regular weekly Eucharist here, but do display information about where guests may attend local churches on a Sunday or Exeter Cathedral midweek.

The settings and celebrants for a Eucharist here at Sheldon include

Community Feasts are for us and our local Friends when we invite a local priest or minister and the liturgy includes a particular focus and is usually followed by a meal. An example is Candlemas when we process around the site and pray for God's blessing on the people who will visit Sheldon during the coming year.
In place of 8am morning prayers on an occasional basis when we have a hospitality volunteer in residence who is also ordained. This is a short and simple liturgy and all are welcome.
On led retreats that form part of our programme of events. Generally the celebrant will be the retreat leader, but occasionally it will be a member of the volunteer team or someone local. The retreat description will tell you whether to expect a daily Eucharist or just one at the end.
On 12,000-mile Service weeks we have a Eucharist on the Thursday night and this service includes the opportunity to receive laying on of hands for those who wish

The president/celebrant may be a man or woman ordained and in good standing in any mainstream denomination. We are an independent charity and not a formal part of a denominational structure. We exercise care in inviting people who are in sympathy with Sheldon's ethos and spirituality to share this aspect of our ministry. If your decision about attending a Eucharist here would be dependent on information about the churchmanship, denomination or gender of the celebrant, please do contact us in advance so we can let you know.