Since March 2020 we have not been able to gather together for our weekly “family meal” – the Lord’s Supper. For many of us, it’s the longest time we’ve ever gone without receiving the strengthening, nourishing, refreshing real presence of our Lord. It’s also the longest time we’ve gone without being together with the whole “communion of saints” at this shared meal. I hope you are feeling just a little bit hungry and thirsty for this means by which Christ comes to us!
That’s not to say that Christ has not been among us throughout this time of separation. Jesus is the living, incarnate, Word of God who continually meets us in the written and proclaimed Word of God. This includes the public reading of Scripture, preaching, teaching, the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism and Communion, confession & absolution, music, arts, prayers, Christian witness, and service. Whew! As you can see, the Lord’s Supper (aka Holy Communion) is only one of the ways we experience the real presence of Christ.
The communion meal is unique, however, in that it is the ONLY meal we share together with the whole body of Christ – and it spans the limits of space and time. Differing from any meal we have with our immediate or extended family, this meal combines real food and drink with the real promises and presence of our living Lord. And so we take this meal seriously.
Covid19 has effected many aspects of our lives: how we greet each other, how we work, how we learn, and how we worship. Out of love and respect for each other- especially the most vulnerable among us – we have held off from sharing this meal. We want people to feel safe in giving and receiving the bread and the wine/juice of communion. We want – as much as possible – to have this be an inclusive experience for all the baptized, and that’s important in a world where people are so easily left out or left behind. In such exceptional times as these, the teachings of Martin Luther and others affirm that we have some flexibility – even where the Lord’s Supper is concerned. Still, we must remember that it is a community meal, where Jesus is the host, and not an activity that we do in private whenever and however we want. After consulting with Bishop Jungling and other leaders and colleagues throughout the ELCA, we will begin celebrating this meal together on the last Sunday of each month, beginning on July 26th.

Because circumstances have changed so radically, instructions are necessary to help this go smoothly and safely. Watch this space for more information in the coming days.