Panel to discuss Eucharist practices in worship during the pandemic

LSTC’s Ben Stewart, Gordon A. Braatz Associate Professor of Worship, and Erik Christensen, pastor to the community and director of worship, in partnership with leaders from across the ELCA, will be creating virtual space for a panel presentation on Monday, July 27, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Central Time to discuss eucharistic practices in worship during the pandemic.

Panelists will provide theological and pastoral rationales and perspectives on what it means for congregations to have diverse communion practices. It will also examine critical needs and relevant theological commitments that inform congregational approaches.

Panelists include:

Bishop Leila M. Ortiz, pastor and theologian, Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod, ELCA

Rev. Manuel Retamoza, senior pastor, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, San Diego, Calif., and vice president, American Indian and Alaska Native Lutheran Association

Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, director for theological diversity & ecumenical and interreligious engagement, ELCA

Rev. Dr. Benjamin Stewart, Gordon A. Braatz Associate Professor of Worship and director, Zygon Center for Religion and Science, LSTC

Dr. Deanna A. Thompson, director, Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community and Martin E. Marty Regents Chair in Religion and the Academy, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

The panel will be moderated by Erik Christensen, pastor to the LSTC community and director of worship, and Bishop Yehiel Curry of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod will offer a welcome.

Registration will be open through the morning of July 26. At 4:30 p.m. on July 26, access the livestream here.