by Jackie ParkerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series. One Sunday, during the sharing portion of our worship, I revealed I was having a hard time—that the pandemic, fear for people’s health, and physical distancing were taking a toll—and with no end in sight, I was starting to feel […]
A Year at the Table
Communion during the COVID-19 Pandemic
By David and Rosene Rohrer, with photo by Karin Shank Having learned from each other about the variety of ways communion is celebrated around the world, we easily adjusted to observing this important practice from our homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020. One Sunday for our virtual service (via Zoom) we each chose […]
One Mennonite’s Perspective on Living into Communion – Feb. 16, 2020
Luke 22:14-23 Our guest preacher this Sunday was Dr. Malinda Berry. This was part of the weekend she spent with us teaching on our Mennonite theology of Communion and how we might create a robust and living theology of table as a local community. Communion helps us connect with each other. Malinda drew in part […]
Bread as Life – Feb. 9, 2020
John 6:25-40, I Corinthians 11:23-26, 12:12, 24-27 Melissa continued the series on communion, focusing today on the role of bread. How bread comes to be is significant, from the grains to the yeast that acts as leavening. In many ways, we are bread. How do we break ourselves open to be made whole?How do we […]
Last Supper – Feb. 2, 2020
Matthew 26:17-30 On this first Sunday that we held worship at Fletcher Academy, Melissa recounts the story of the Last Supper, Jesus having Passover with his friends. The account in Matthew spends more time talking about the betrayal by Judas than it does about breaking of the bread and sharing the cup. When we come […]
What happens after communion?
by David Rohrer Throughout history communion has been wrought with conflict. Heated debate focused on: Who can participate? Who can officiate? What’s required to prepare for communion? What elements are used? What process occurs in those who partake? Is Christ in the host (bread) or only there with his “real presence?” Is communion necessary for […]
De-mummification of Rigid Communion Ritual
by David Rohrer Below are highlights from my reading of Laurel Marshall’s masters thesis regarding the practice of communion and baptism in Christian base communities in El Salvador: The role of liberation theology in informing communion and baptism. The emphasis on sharing and inclusiveness in practicing the communion. Caring for one another as being a way […]
Communion and Hospitality
by Shannon Hess Our short time in El Salvador left me with a lot to process and a lot to reflect on, much of which I haven’t even tried to begin to put into words. I can’t honestly say that I really put much thought into Communion before our congregation started asking questions and making […]
Communion as Solidarity
by Jackie Parker So much to say about El Salvador, it’s hard to know where to begin. My heart is filled with the beauty and generosity of spirit of everyone we met and with the sheer horror of the tragedies that have taken place in their country. Our delegation was so warmly welcomed by each […]
A Year At The Table: The In’s and Out’s of Being at the Table
by Zinith BarbeeA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.January 21, 2020 The table is an image that is integral to hospitality. It is the critical prop in “the greatest story ever told.” In our services, it reflects the meaning of the Last Supper. Hospitality at the table is a […]
What is this Passover Feast? – Jan. 19, 2020
Exodus 12:3-13 and Mark 14:12-25 Our biblical example of communion stems from Jesus sharing the Passover meal with his disciples. Rachel reflects on how the church’s communion practice, particularly in white-dominant congregations, can deepen rather than heal racial divisions in the church as it did in the past when white slave owners required those they […]
Children’s views on A Year at the Table
Leah’s perspective on her involvement with Food for Thought: “Food for Thought is where Trader Joe’s gets rid of all the food it cannot sell. And we give it away to people. I like being a part of it because it gets me out of the house. My whole family is a part of it. […]
St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, Raleigh – Eucharistic Celebration
by Al RebergA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.November 16, 2019 The Communion Liturgy at Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church is read from the Book of Common Prayer or recited from memory. Two people bring the bread and wine down the center Aisle and gives them to the Torch Bearer […]
A Year at the Table
Raleigh Mennonite concluded a year-long exploration, celebration, and discernment of our practice of Lord’s Supper, our relationship to food systems, and our community formed around meals. Blog posts related to “A Year at the Table” Pie-it-Forward Communion during the COVID-19 Pandemic Fasting from Food Waste – Article in Sojourners Communion “Pop-up Seminary” Weekend Communion and […]