The Diocese of Newark has released a report on Open Table and The Episcopal Church.
In early 2013, The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, commissioned a Diocesan Task Force to discuss and discern “the many theological, liturgical and pastoral issues regarding the receiving of the Eucharist, ”specifically with regard to the Open Table.
The report is the culmination of research, asking others for feedback, and a year’s worth of discussions that were all held within the sharing of a meal at an actual dinner table. After a Preface and Introduction, it is organized in this way:
I. BAPTISM VS. EUCHARIST TODAY AND IN THE PAST
II. SACRAMENTAL VALUES AND ALTERNATIVE JOURNEYS TO CHRIST
III. PERCEPTIONS OF OPEN TABLE
Following a brief conclusion, we include three appendices:
A. Stories of Eucharistic Inclusion and Exclusion
B. Sample Open Table Invitations
C. Open Table Resources.