Body & Blood

There has been a recent phenomenon in my church life here. Over the past month I have participated in more celebrations of the Eucharist than I have the whole year. I am not entirely sure why this is, but I think it is somehow connected to Lent and getting ready for Easter. Regardless I have been like a kid in a candy store and gone forward to receive Christ's body and blood each time.

I've written some about how going to church can be a hard hour and a half. The presence of God is apparent and I can feel Him all around us, but that does not always mean that I am well-nourished by the service. I understand enough of what's going to to get by, but I never walk out thinking, "Man, that was the best worship service I have ever been too!" It's not uncommon for me to come back to my flat and to have some homesickness. However, the Sundays in which we celebrate the Eucharist, I am blessed by this interaction and am thankful that I FULLY comprehend these minutes. So to have been able to participate in this so frequently has really been amazing.

Naturally, communion is celebrated a little bit differently here than in America. But of course, not every church in America follows the same pattern, so this is not unexpected at all. Communion is the last major section of the worship service and is simply added on to the end of the liturgy. The pastor goes through the Great Thanksgiving and depending on the pastor this can be either spoken or sung. After he has finished this (he because women are not yet ordained in Poland), those wishing to receive communion walk to the altar. Watching this for the first time was a chaotic experience. They don't walk in any particular order; there are no ushers to control the flow of the crowd. Everyone just gets up and walks and waits in a semi-circle around the altar. The kneeling rail is 3/4 of a rectangle around the altar.

There are usually at least two pastors (or one pastor and one assistant) who help with distribution. They first bless those who are kneeling, and then distribute the bread by placing it directly into their mouths. The cup comes around next, which is controlled by the pastor who gives everyone a sip and then wipes it clean with a cloth. The hands of those who are receiving are folded below the rail, not resting on it, as is common practice in America. After everyone has received both elements, one final blessing is given and then we cross ourselves (mind, mouth, heart) before we stand. We then do a "lap" behind the altar. I was VERY confused by this at first, as I didn't understand its purpose. It turns out that is part crowd control, part a way to give offering after you have communed. Not everyone who comes to church will commune. They usually will only commune about once every month or two, except for during Lent, apparently.

Not participating in the Eucharist as frequently has been a challenge of this year. While I was still at university I was communing at least twice, if not three times a week. Since it does not happen as often, I for sure am more thankful and really try to embrace the moment intentionally and thoroughly because I am never quite sure when it will come again. As enriching as this year has been and continues to be, I am certainly looking forward to communing on a regular basis again and overall worshiping in my mother tongue every week.

Blessings,
Colleen