I love the account of Charlotte's first communion! My kids don't enjoy me dragging them to church every week ("it's boring!") but they look forward to communion every month. One time one of the kids in the congregation went up for seconds, and the pastor (a good friend of mine with kids the age of my boys) laughed and commented that everyone should approach the table like that and all the kids could have seconds after the service. She didn't think anyone would take her up on it, but at the end, all the kids went up and helped themselves to more bread and grape juice. It was such a a metaphor for God's table. And also wouldn't have been possible if we used wine! 🤣
Christine, I LOVE that! My favorite communion moment was when a kindergartener went up, received the bread and grape juice and then reappeared in the line a second time a few minutes later! There's always an abundance with God...
Congrats on her first communion! I don't remember a lot about my first communion (and I was in 8th grade...I have a terrible memory). But remember being excited to be able to participate in a ritual I had watched for years.
This is such a sweet story! I love the image of Charlotte and her friend holding hands and singing together. We don’t do First Communion in my tradition but I really like how it seems having to wait for it/getting to anticipate it seems to have imbued even more meaning into the ritual for her!
What beautiful words and pictures of Charlotte's First Communion! I felt like I had been with her there. So much of what you said echoed the words I wrote in Gathered at the Table: Celebrating Communion...
This brought back so many memories of communion when I was younger. I always got excited about communion, and I guess I still do as an adult as well, if I'm being honest. My Grandmother was a communion steward, so it always reminds me of her. When we were younger, she would let my brother and I drink all the extra grape juice after church and we thought that was such a treat.
I love the account of Charlotte's first communion! My kids don't enjoy me dragging them to church every week ("it's boring!") but they look forward to communion every month. One time one of the kids in the congregation went up for seconds, and the pastor (a good friend of mine with kids the age of my boys) laughed and commented that everyone should approach the table like that and all the kids could have seconds after the service. She didn't think anyone would take her up on it, but at the end, all the kids went up and helped themselves to more bread and grape juice. It was such a a metaphor for God's table. And also wouldn't have been possible if we used wine! 🤣
Christine, I LOVE that! My favorite communion moment was when a kindergartener went up, received the bread and grape juice and then reappeared in the line a second time a few minutes later! There's always an abundance with God...
Yes, Glenys! Always an abundance!!
What a great story! I love when children feel so comfortable in church to be themselves!
Christine, what a great story and picture for God’s kingdom!! Yes to second and an unending feast. Thanks for sharing!
This was the most beautiful piece, Kim. Thank you for sharing the beauty and mystery of the table with us
oh friend, thank you!! Loved having these conversations with you in person!!
This is beautiful, Kim! I love Charlotte’s excitement and enthusiasm for communion!
thank you! Yes, it’s pure joy and contagious for sure!
😭😭 what a beautifully woven story!
thank you! This was fun to write and I’m glad to have a marker for this time in Charlotte’s faith.
Ohh this is beautiful! You can just see the excitement on her face!!
she is my happy girl!!
Congrats on her first communion! I don't remember a lot about my first communion (and I was in 8th grade...I have a terrible memory). But remember being excited to be able to participate in a ritual I had watched for years.
Yes! There’s something so special about watching year after year and then being a part!
This is such a sweet story! I love the image of Charlotte and her friend holding hands and singing together. We don’t do First Communion in my tradition but I really like how it seems having to wait for it/getting to anticipate it seems to have imbued even more meaning into the ritual for her!
There was definitely a lot of anticipation for her!
This is so sweet! I love her enthusiasm and your reminder of what communion is, especially the third one!
Thank you!
What beautiful words and pictures of Charlotte's First Communion! I felt like I had been with her there. So much of what you said echoed the words I wrote in Gathered at the Table: Celebrating Communion...
"There's room at the table,
No matter how we feel.
Jesus reaches out to us
In this holy meal."
Glenys we read your book to the kids and families when we had our communion class together! It was perfect!
Oh, GOODNESS! How wonderful! ❤️
Beautiful!
This brought back so many memories of communion when I was younger. I always got excited about communion, and I guess I still do as an adult as well, if I'm being honest. My Grandmother was a communion steward, so it always reminds me of her. When we were younger, she would let my brother and I drink all the extra grape juice after church and we thought that was such a treat.
Loved this!