Communion

I have a lovely white tablecloth.  it comes out for special occasions, and it's enormous.  It will cover our dining table completely, with a lot left over.  We have to fold it in half, and then on top of that goes plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery etc.  If anything is spilled, well we might give the cloth a soaking to prevent staining, but it's an accident, and it's a sign of a lovely meal.  While we look after the good cloth, it's there to be used.

Today I had my first communion where I was behind the table - I was never an elder, although my Presbytery says I was...  On top of the white cloth had been placed a plastic sheet, protecting the white tablecloth.  It was as Stephen read the intimations that I noticed some marks on the plastic.  There was an arrow pointing to the congregation, then some circles where the elements were to be placed.  A space had been left for the lectern, but not much.  In thinking about it, there was more space devoted to the two communion jugs, which were not used, or even filled, than for the Minister's notes. 

I mentioned to Pamela, the Methodist Deacon that I preferred communion at her church, where we could all gather round the table, and there was a bit more spontaneity, although we agreed that isn't always possible due to large congregations and building layout.  I'm just worried that there is a process that we must be seen to follow, without deviation.  So are we taking part in a process or a sacramental commemoration? 

Much to ponder...

Fifty Acts 2. Colleagues Communion

The presbytery had a retreat day.  Now I'm not so sure about this, as my idea of a retreat is someone in his hermitage (probably near Dunkeld) shunning modern life (insert your own cutting jibe about Dunkeld here) and contemplating the Works of God around him.  It was certainly nothing like 20 ministers sitting round with tea and biscuits.  But that's modern life for you. 

The retreat was lead by one of the west coast hospital chaplains.  Now here is someone who work at both ends of life, from the maternity ward to the hospice.  It sounds like a tough gig, especially for someone who hates hospitals and doesn't like the sight of blood. The chaplain admitted to these two failings that I would have thought would have been a barrier to his employment.  Mysterious ways etc. 

Here was someone who had a very practical approach to his theology, and genuinely brought comfort to those he met There's no place to debate the merits of infant vs believers baptism when the infant in question isn't going to last the morning. This is faith in action at the very front line, bringing Christ's comfort to those in need. 

Having spoken with another chaplain, he confided in me that baptism need not be conducted by an ordained minister/priest.  If the person is in mortal danger, as long as the baptism is in the name of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and is carried out with sincerity then the baptism is valid.  After this, what happened later in the day was a bit odd.  The chaplain lead us in Communion, but because he wasn't ordained to Word and Sacrament, one of the Ministers present had to do the breaking of bread.  Odd because, in the same way as Jesus taught his followers, the chaplain had been teaching us; odd because here was someone who carried out one of the sacraments of the Church of Scotland on a regular basis, but he wasn't allowed to the other one because nobody was dying.

But the Communion, as a celebration was invigorating.  It was the first time I have gathered with my colleagues and been part of the team, rather than a prospect with ambitions to join the gang. 

And there's hope for me yet.  I don't like hospitals.  I don't like blood.  Looks like I am chaplain material then.

Communion for All

Over on the dark side Mrs Gerbil's blog, she has some interesting things to say about Communion.  And yes, while I'm mostly in agreement, it does mess up the plan for selling pre-blessed communion wine by the truckload. 

So my take on a good communion is sort of loosely based on the closing communion at the National Gathering a few years back. 

Go out into the church garden, or a park.  Just get outside.  Have a picnic on the grass, with optional chairs for those who prefer seating.  Now pass round the sandwiches and juice. Yes, juice and sandwiches.  What we are commemorating is the last supper.  It wasn't the last thimbleful of wine and a stale crumb of bread*.  It was the main meal of the day.  The disciples were having dinner, and the last thing they needed was the munchies at midnight. 

We'll still have the respectful, traditional ceremony before eating, but we'll be like the early church, who gathered for a collective meal each day.  This is not meant as a substitute for the more formal, in-church communion that we are used to, but perhaps as a way for the church community to gather together and remember Jesus' big sacrifice for us.

So let's share what we've brought, give thanks and remember

And when we share the peace, we can also share the pieces. 



*Once I saw 80ish people sharing two slices** and still having crumbs left over.  Finally an explanation of the feeding of the 5000.

** Stale, rough and dry.