Mike's musings

The reason we don't use wine is as a matter of respect for those who have chosen not to drink alchohol- its historical roots are similar to those of the Salvation Army.The church itself says:
At Holy Communion in Methodist Churches non-alcoholic wine is used. The only exception to this is where a non-Methodist congregation worshipping on Methodist premises uses alcoholic communion wine within its own rules, if this is allowed by the local sharing agreement.

Responsible use of alchohol is stressed and abistenence is still held in high regard at conference!!! Hmmm maybe I'd better think about that!!!

btw- your face was a picture when you realised the wine was non alchoholic!!! :)

As for sitting during the gospel reading the theological position for this is that we do not hold any portion od scripture over another- we sit and listen respectfully whether it be a psalm or a gospel reading! It probably says interesting things about Methodist Christology! A debate for another day maybe, ;)
 

We didn't have bread either, according to CofE usage. The rubric states that it should be wheat bread, but the loaf was a gluten-free thing.

So not only did I receive at a service conducted by a non-episcopally ordained minister, but both the elements were not proper. I'm going to be in so much trouble with my spiritual director!!
 

Sally - there was a smiley there! But thanks for the explanation: good to get the background.

Simon - hi there, thanks for posting. I think that getting in trouble with our spiritual director is probably good for us (and them) from time to time... Oh, and I'm proud of you! As a matter of interest, which would you say was more important - that a church doesn't ordain episcopally, or that we (the CofE) are in communion with them?
 

Simon - just noticed that you've registered on blogger: does that mean that you're going to start blogging? Excellent, if so. Couldn't see any posts yet...
 

Hey Simon I suspect you'll survive... as a matter of fact gluten free bread would not normaly be served and was Helen's choice!

Like Mike I would be very interested to hear your response to which of these is more important - that a church doesn't ordain episcopally, or that you (the CofE) are in communion with them?

Also regarding the sacramental elements how crucial is it that these are proper? And also what makes them proper the consecration or the fact that they are made of wheat and fermented grape???

Also if you are going to start blogging that'd be great. It would be good to broaden the discussion out a bit more!
 

Mike I saw the smiley but thought an explanation might help- the more we are able to communicte and appreciate why the we do what we do to one another the more room there is for decent dialogue and understanding.
 

Mike, Sally

I am going to give blogging a try. Don't know how long I will keep it but watch this space (or rather, my space not this one)
 

I take it that the question re the relative importance of an episcopally ordained minister and whether a church is in communion with the CofE is hypothetical? As far as I know the CofE is not in communion with any church that does not have episcopal ordination. It is certainly not yet in communion with the Methodist church.