September 2, 2012:

Thoughts On Communion

       I began taking Holy Communion as a young child in the Otsego Methodist Church.  I joined my parents in going up to the communion rail where plates with small cubes of white bread and small glasses of grape juice waited for us.  (Unfermented grape juice . . .  Remember we were Methodists!)  With the familiar words of the traditional Protestant communion service, the pastor invited us to partake of the bread and then the cup.

        Did I understand the meaning of communion?  Of course, not.  I did understand that this was a special moment in worship and I took it quite seriously.  So far as I have been able to discover, including children happened in every Methodist Church.  As a matter of fact, there is no prohibition against anyone, young or old, member or non-member from receiving communion.

        There are Christian Churches that forbid unconfirmed children or non-members taking communion.  Some churches have had serious and divisive struggles over whether or not to include children at the communion table.  When I became the Senior Minister of the Community Church of East Williston, I was told at a meeting of the Board of Elders that children were not permitted to receive communion.  When I asked why, I was told that children did not understand the meaning of communion.

        “That sounds like a good idea,” I said.  “I don’t think anyone who doesn’t understand the meaning of communion should participate.  I will ask that all confirmed and adult members of our church write out a brief explanation of the meaning of communion and mail them to me.  I will read them over carefully and decide which people have a sufficient grasp of communion and they will be allowed to take communion.”  After a little laughter and brief discussion it was decided that from then on all people without exception could receive communion.

        Communion is a mystery.  It cannot be fully understood rationally.  Theologians and scholars have never been able to agree.  To me, the important thing is that communion unites us all, young or old, wise or foolish, around the table in awe-struck gratitude for God’s love shown to us in Jesus Christ.

        Love,

        Dave