I could have done the same, though the reason I did not do so was not in any
way high-minded. My own views on Communion are almost as low as one can get -
except for my wife who gets lower! So neither of us missed communion much. But,
given our views, I have no problem whatever with online communion - official or
not!
Best Wishes
JOHN E STATON
Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK
www.christianreflection.org.uk
Sent from my iPad
On 7 Jul 2021, at 12:23, John Barnett <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I was delighted to read that Conference has agreed to permit online services
of Holy Communion. I wish it had been possible to do so last year. I only
shared in one Communion service during lockdown, and that was with the local
URC. My wife and I prepared the elements beforehand, using home made bread
and Vimto, which I reckon is as near to the real thing as the non-alcoholic
wine we use in church. We used my portable Communion set, which I recognise
is a privilege others would not have, but this wasn't essential. When it came
to receiving Communion, it felt real. The minister had said the prayer of
thanksgiving and the Words of Institution, and as far as I am concerned, the
Holy Spirit is not limited to any building or distance.
I see the provision of online Communion services as a potential benefit to
those permanently or temporarily housebound, maybe among the congregation in
a "hybrid" service. I conducted a service in a small church last Sunday with
one chronically ill person joining us on Zoom. It was not a Communion
service, but had it been, it would have been appropriate, and a joy, to
include her in.
John Barnett
