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Open and Gathered Community - Thoughts on Online Communion
Back in April, I announced my decision not to do online communion while we were physically apart. I stated that, “I believe it is a sacrament that is rightly performed in the context of an ‘open, and gathered community.’ Yes, we are gathered together online for worship, but I don’t think I’m saying anything you don’t know when I say it’s not the same. It’s good, and important, and valuable, but it’s not the same.” 

I also said, “Please know I didn’t come to this decision lightly, and it’s not necessarily a final decision. I do not know what the future holds—none of us do.” 

Well, I can guarantee that when I wrote those words I had no concept of how long we would be physically apart. I still believe that holy communion is a sacrament that is rightly performed in the context of an open and gathered community. However, my understanding of an “open and gathered community” has evolved over the past several months. I have felt a sense of community online that I didn’t know was possible. And I believe more fully that God’s Spirit can move through space in ways I honestly didn’t think were possible before. 

I admit that I was limiting God’s ability with my own capacity to understand—it didn’t make sense how God could move through the internet and connect us no matter what time we were watching or where we were watching from. And a piece of me wanted to make sure that you were paying attention during the celebration of holy communion—that you weren’t doing dishes or working on a project while worshipping, then pause and take communion like a snack, and then go back to doing whatever it was you were doing. 

But all of that is more about me, isn’t it? It’s about me limiting God’s ability to work in mysterious ways. And it’s about me wanting to have control over the table. And it’s also about the Church and its traditions and doctrines, rather than God doing old things in new ways. 

Even though I know full-well that communion isn’t about me or the church. It’s about us experiencing the unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Having an open table means that we believe God can work within and through the mess of our lives to bring redemption to anyone and everyone.

All of that is to say that I have changed my mind. Through lots of prayer and discussion with our staff and my colleagues, I have decided that we will be celebrating Holy Communion online during our January 3rd worship service. That Sunday we will have a special “Covenant Renewal Service,” where we will take the opportunity a new year brings us and renew our covenant of love and commitment to God. So I invite you to get your communion elements ready—some bread or crackers and juice or, dare I say, wine—and join us as we celebrate and remember the holy mystery that is God’s unconditional and sacrificial love for us. 

If you do not feel comfortable participating in communion online, that is perfectly ok—you are welcome to meditate on the words of the sacrament and remember God’s redeeming love. 

As we move into this new year, I pray that we might evolve and grow in our understanding of what God is capable of and truly allow God to lead us—as individuals and a church—to the incredible things we haven’t even imagined yet. 

Take care, 

Pastor Heidi

Rev. Heidi Welch, Senior Pastor