Communion

Setup of elements

Typically the communion setup is done according to a roster so shouldn't fall into the curator’s responsibility. An exception to this would be a public holiday weekend or a special service. 

Physical setup

The rostered helper will lay out the following items on a round table:

1. Typically 2–4 round trays of non-alcoholic black currant juice

2. 1 old-timey wooden tray with tiny glass tumblers for the alcoholic port

3. 2 plates of gluten free crackers

4. A wine bottle with port in it and a goblet

Form of the ritual

Traditionally the ritual moves through three phases

1. Introduction

2. Introducing the bread and wine

3. Distribution

1. Introduction

The introduction doesn’t need to be long but its aim is to bring people in to a space of appreciation about the ritual we’re engaging in. Typically I’ll talk mention the 2,000 years we’ve been doing it, the fact it’’s an open table (Judas was present), unpack some of the symbolism etc. It’s important I think to explain ‘why’ we're doing this especially for those who are unfamiliar.

2. Introducing the bread and wine

Liturgically we draw from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:

(NRSV) The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

So the liturgical form follows something like this:

1. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he gave thanks and broke the bread saying. He said, “this is my body broken for you”.
   You then break a cracker. (I've been taking the plate to someone random in the pews for this to symbolise the ‘priesthood of all believers’—this is a Stu-ism and I have no expectations that others do the same!). 

2. Then take the wine bottle and goblet and while pouring the wine into the goblet say, “This is Christ’s blood, poured out for you as a sign of a new covenant, a loving agreement between God and us where we can love others as Christ has loved us. Whenever you drink this, remember Christ.” 

3. Distribution

Now invite those who are rostered on as servers to come up. There needs to be at least three, but four works well too. They will line up in a line with the bread in the middle position(s) flanked on either side by either wine or juice. (the participants of communion will file to the centre and peel away to their choice of drink and then off to their seats.)

Now state the bread/cracker is gluten free and which trays are are port and which ones are juice (be very clear on this!). Finally, say “Let us join together as one in Christ.” 

If no-one moves then lead by example and take the elements.

It’s very helpful to have some music playing to provide an environment for this. 

At the end

This is often muddly as the servers serve each other and there’s a mild chaos as they work out who is serving who. At first I thought we should address this but now I’m very comfortable with that little bit of messiness and connection and smiles it brings. I do tend to stand there, make sure everyone (including musicians) have received and take plates off the servers as they finish. 

I usually lead straight into prayers for others or the benediction after.