The Pope this week “reaffirmed a strict ruling forbidding eucharistic concelebration with ministries of non-Roman Catholic churches.” Translation: non-Catholics aren’t welcome at the Pope's communion table.
The United Church of Christ celebrates an open table where all are welcome. Many other denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, do the same. In the UCC we generally believe that:
In the sacrament of Holy Communion, also called the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, meaning "thanksgiving," Christians hear, taste, touch and receive the grace of God revealed through Jesus Christ in a unique way. Communion is:
* a joyous act of thanksgiving for all God has done, is doing, and will do for the redeeming of creation;
* a sacred memorial of the crucified and risen Christ, a living and effective sign of Christ's sacrifice in which Christ is truly and rightly present to those who eat and drink;
* an earnest prayer for the presence of the Holy Spirit to unite those who partake with the Risen Christ and with each other, and to restore creation, making all things new;
* an intimate experience of fellowship in which the whole church in every time and place is present and divisions are overcome;
* a hopeful sign of the promised Realm of God marked by justice, love and peace.
We’re celebrating communion every Sunday during Lent at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ. Protestants and Catholics alike are welcome.
Related Link: A Podcast Sermon For World Communion Sunday 2006: All Are Welcome At God's Table
