At a recent communion service, a long-time member told me that somewhere along the way he and his late wife developed the habit of holding hands during communion. There was no plan or discussion about it. It just developed over the years. Now that she is gone, communion is especially poignant for him—sad in one way, but full of that sweet memory, too.
That mix of feelings may be the best description of the emotional core of communion that I’ve ever heard. Our loved one is no longer there, yet their absence is so profound that their memory is most present and alive at that same time.
During the holidays, for a wide variety of reasons, many of us feel that we are reaching for the comfort of some familiar face, touch, assurance… that is no longer there. And the joyfulness that comes so easily to others can make the sadness all the harder. At such a time, we need the church to come and put its arms around us.
If you are not in need of a special comforting assurance this year, you probably know someone who is… so join us, either in person or via our Vimeo or Facebook links. Give lamentation the place it deserves, share communion with us, and let your church put its arms around you.
—Kyle