| Communion study offers insight into sacrament By Deryl Davis
UMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT  MIKE DUBOSE/UMNS | | Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, center, Katie Krackhardt, second from right, and Spencer Bailey Butler serve communion during the opening worship of the 2004 General Conference. | As delegates to The United Methodist Church's 2004 General Conference continue to meet this week, they are being asked to approve a new interpretative document on Holy Communion.The document, titled 'This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion,' is the result of a study begun in 2001 to discern the questions and concerns United Methodists have regarding the sacrament and its practice. 'We found that many people wanted a better understanding of the theology of communion,' said the Rev. Frank Trotter, pastor of Metropolitan Memorial UMC in Washington, D.C., and secretary of the committee that carried out the study. The committee, which included lay and ordained members, did a series of interviews across the denomination in 2001 and posted a questionnaire on a denominational Web site. They found that, in addition to clarifying the theology of Communion, United Methodists had questions about the frequency with which the sacrament is observed, who may participate in it, and how it should be celebrated. In particular, the committee found a rising interest among United Methodists in celebrating Communion more often. Craig Hill, professor of New Testament at Wesley Theological Seminary, spoke to the delegation about what the Bible has to say about bishops. 'We became aware of a growing desire for weekly Communion, and even in some places, for Communion at every service,' Trotter said, noting that, before the liturgical revolution set off by the Roman Catholic Vatican II in the 1960s, Methodists typically only celebrated the sacrament four times a year. Trotter said he can imagine a time when United Methodist churches will offer the sacrament at every service. 'This Holy Mystery' encourages churches to consider celebrating Communion on a weekly basis. A major question before many United Methodists is who may participate in the sacrament of Communion. Traditionally, many Christian churches have taught that baptism, the other sacrament observed by United Methodists, must precede participation in Communion. Therefore, an un-baptized person could not be received at the Lord's Table. 'We found a strong feeling among many Methodists that this is exclusionary,' Trotter said. 'This document seeks to remind people that it is the pastor's and the church's responsibility to encourage baptism of the faithful, but it doesn't suggest that a lack of baptism should keep somebody from the table.' Similarly, Trotter said, the document is intended to help United Methodists become more aware of the ecumenical nature of Communion. 'United Methodists haven't had a great understanding of that,' Trotter said. 'Like many Protestants, we've been so independent, we've lost sight of the ecumenical cohesion which ought to unite the body of Christ. This document reintroduces that.' Trotter said that 'This Holy Mystery' offers progressive ideas, while remaining faithful to United Methodist traditions. For instance, the document affirms the current practice that only elders of the church may celebrate Communion. In some circumstances, lay pastors may celebrate the sacrament under supervision. A controversial issue the committee felt it could not resolve was the debate over using wine in Communion. In contrast to Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and some other Protestant traditions, United Methodists use grape juice when observing the sacrament. Trotter said the committee did not feel it had the responsibility to change this practice. According to Trotter, one of the most important things the study provides, for pastors and laity alike, is strong gbwc_superuserelines for Communion liturgy. The document is meant to clarify correct teaching and practice and bring greater cohesiveness to the observance. It reminds celebrants and participants of the histories of the Methodist and the larger Christian traditions and the things included in them. 'The sacraments are absolutely one of the most important parts of Christian ministry,' Trotter said. 'This document lifts up Communion, teaches it, clarifies it, strengthens the practice, and ultimately brings us closer to Jesus Christ.' | 
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