HELLO!

Here is a recording of our Communion worship service today. If you are watching it, not having been there in-person, please have a piece of bread and some juice near by, as this experience will be more meaningful if you participate with us as we share in the Prayer of Great Thanksgiving. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ9Wus8fT8g

I received more feedback on the Communion blog I wrote yesterday than the previous week’s worth of blogs combined. And I am not surprised. In 36 years of ordered ministry, I have had many, many people tell me, with utmost conviction in their voice, “Communion is very sacred/meaningful to me” but when I asked them why or what aspect of the ritual spoke to them there was a look of confusion, frustration and seldom a clear answer. I did read some compelling responses last night, including “the presence of Jesus”, “the remembering of those who once gathered at the Table with them, who are now with the Saints in Light”, a receiving of the Sacrament, a sense of gratitude for what has been given to them, and an extension of the Table, a belief that being fed moves us to feed others. Many also shared they were raised in other denominations, where the meaning of Communion remained the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, where we eat and drink to recall how Jesus died for our sins. And yet, focusing like this does seem to overlook the ministry of Jesus, his three years of eating with those who were considered “other”.

From my earliest memories I recall asking the question “why?” I have never been satisfied with “because” or “it is what is normal”. In fact, when people ask me where my passion for discipleship comes from, I typically respond, “because I know what I believe, it is important to me, and therefore I am moved to do.” I find discipleship based on “because” and “it is what normal people do” is rarely passionate and typically mixed with other motivations. What matters is what we know to be true and what we know as Truth is the product of testing, questions and prayerful discernment. I pray the Sacrament of Communion is such a time for you.

I will be spending my Monday at home working on the first sessions of my faith studies that begins this coming week; Tuesday night (weekly) we review “Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World” and Wednesday morning (monthly) we review “What is the Bible: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything”. I will be sending a summary of this out as my blog tomorrow night. It will give you a sense of what to expect and those who do not have the books will find themselves on equal footing with those who do. I look forward to these conversations.

Peace, Kevin