Celebrating Communion

Jesus set the pattern for his followers to remember his death on the cross by sharing bread and wine - what is called the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.

Luke’s gospel records the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples:

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22v19-20)

As his followers, we want to be be obedient to his command.

We receive bread and wine together as a church in a relatively ‘normal’ fashion, whilst acknowledging that few people want to drink from the same cup.

We hygienically share bread (cubed in advanced) and wine (in individual cups). The Church Council (PCC) support this decision. The Church of England does not consider the use of individual cups legal, but the Church of England Evangelical Council argue it is legal and consistent with the rules of the Church.

In plain understanding - if some churches share bread in individual wafers, it is logical that individual cups are permitted. And, you can share a meal and a drink with someone without eating from the same plate and drinking from the same cup.

We take this step of receiving bread and wine together in order to be obedient to Jesus’ command, whilst maintaining good hygiene.

We welcome to communion all who trust in Jesus’ death for their forgiveness and have been confirmed or baptised as an adult. Anyone else is welcome to come forward for a prayer of blessing.

Receiving the bread

When invited, please come up the middle aisle to the front of church.

We will serve bread (using tongs) at the front, or you can receive a prayer of blessing.

(Gluten-free wafers will also be available.)

Collect a cup of wine

After the wine has been consecrated (prayed over at communion), a tray of individual cups will be placed on a table at the left of the stage.

To receive the wine, please take the cup nearest you.

(Non-alcoholic wine will also be available.)

deposit empty cups

Once you have eaten the bread and drunk all of the wine in the cup, please deposit your empty cup at the table on the side and return to your seat down the side aisle.

We hope that returning to celebrate communion in this way will deepen our fellowship with God and one another in the church family.