Communion table
Some Protestant churches in Scotland would place long tables in the middle of their sanctuaries for celebration of communion. Later, they got rid of the tables in order to use their space more efficiently. (I personally think it was because one of the bishop’s brothers fabricated and sold aluminum individual communion cup trays, but I digress.) The communion table above (from the 1800’s) transformed normal pews into communion tables, with congregants sitting on benches on either side of the long, center table where bread and wine were served.
The table is narrow. The communion is close… Eye to eye, so to speak, allowing for interaction and expressions of faith of one believer to another.
So this Sunday when you eat at the Lord’s table, truly eat it with a brother or sister. Look them in the eye. Tell them you believe. And let the communion begin.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Powerful visual.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
We’re trying to incorporate the “table” mindset rather than the “altar” mindset with respect to taking communion. To say that it has been a logistical challenge would be an understatement. The present form we’re using for 225 folks is passing out both the bread and the wine at the same time, having someone make comments, say a prayer, and then have everyone stand and face someone as we take the bread and wine together. It is stretching some of our older folks but I think the change is well worth it.
Speaking of older folks I couldn’t remember my password today. Thanks to Brady for helping out this “elderly” elder.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
A week from Sunday, we will be seated around tables during our Communion time. I can’t wait for the opportunity to interact that way. We think of this as such a quiet time. There’s just no way to be quiet when you’re at the table.
November 17th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
A new concept for this mind………but interesting.
November 18th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Amen! I have always been interested in how ‘individual’ the Lord’s supper is made in the church, while it is actually also meant to be a communion. The logistics are the things that stretch us and make us toss important bits (and where many of our traditions - yes we have traditions - show up). We should keep struggling with the logistics.
November 19th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Fascinating, Brady. Isn’t it interesting how we’ve taken a fellowship meal and reduced it to a snack? Today (11/18) the communion was shared pretty much as usual, but then everyone was asked to move into the fellowship room to tables where we continued the theme of communion by sharing table talk of God’s blessings this year and anticipated blessings for next year.