The Bishops of England and Wales have said that Communion from the Chalice—the Precious Blood—may be resumed from Easter. Our Bishop has stated that this is a permission and not mandatory. The Chalice was suspended at the start of the pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus. Many of us are understandably still being vigilant with regard to further contagion. The teaching of the Church is that when we receive Holy Communion, Christ is present whole and entire—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity—under either kind. By receiving under one species we do not receive less of Christ or less grace. Receiving from the Chalice obviously emphasises the sacramental sign—of eating and drinking the Body and Blood of The Lord. The counsel I am receiving is that we could reintroduce the Chalice prudently and cautiously once it is clear that the majority of parishioners are content that Covid, Influenza and other diseases are not communicable. It would seem unwise to reintroduce this practice and then have to withdraw it with the approach of Winter. Furthermore, our extra-ordinary ministers of Holy Communion need to be satisfied that this is once again safe, since they will need to purify and consume what remains in the Chalice; I am not happy asking others to do something that I would not be prepared to do myself, given the potential attendant health risks. The Southend Deanery have also discussed this and have jointly made this decision too for the other Parishes.