Communion

"communion...the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level." This is the first definition of the word in the Oxford Dictionary. When capitalized, the word takes on an explicit Christian faith meaning in the term for the taking of bread and wine in the name of Jesus Christ. Either way it is a profoundly moving experience for me. This post is not to presume more importance of the Christian faith over others. Bar the violent fanatics in any religion, my experience with friends and neighbors who practice other faiths or spirituality is they share meaningful expressions of communion as well. However, for this post, I am referring to my own experience of the capital "C" Communion. Most weeks my family attends the contemporary later morning service in which communion is given. At other services, it is generally only once or twice a month. Communion is given with the pastor placing a bread like wafer in our hands, and then stepping aside to dip the wafer into the wine. However, during lent, communion is done at all services and is done knelling in the front of the church where a piece of bread, not a wafer is used, and little cups of wine are given.

One by one we join each other at the "table" and receive this tremendous gift. For me, taking communion this way is a faith affirming experience. Here all are welcome, and the vast diversity of persons, sharing a faith, is in full view. We are all the same in God's eyes. It is warm and comforting to me. I love Christmas and the celebrations with family and friends, but it is the season of Lent, leading up to Easter, and the traditions I grew up with that root my faith. I love seeing my brothers and sisters in Christ taking their turn at the table and being a part of this communal action. Our church has no rules as to who can partake in Communion, member or nonmember, Lutheran or not. The pastors would like children younger than 5th grade to have been part of an instructional class. The class is part of the 5th grade church school curriculum and has become a right of passage. Not only do the kids learn the depth of what communion means, they make and bake the bread that will be served during lent, and they make their own pottery cup with which to take their first communion. There is not a separate service for first communion as in the Catholic church, but they designate a certain Sunday, or a service in lent, for the first communion to happen. Each of my kids had their first communion on Maunday Thursday.

My faith is important to me, though I struggle with making it a priority in the busy fast paced life I live. I love that Lent and Easter are in the spring at least in my part of the world. Spring is a time of birth and growth in nature. I I like to hope that I experience growth this time of year as well.

This was DD#2's cup from three years ago, so beautiful in its simplicity.