World Communion Sunday

My children have had an assignment since the beginning of the school year. They’re both studying moon phases, so every evening we slip outside for a few moments and observe the night sky, determine the moon’s phase and sketch it in a journal. Seeing the stars stretching to every edge of the horizon, as far as the eye can see, far too many to count--no matter how old I get, each time I look up at the vast reach of stars around me, I’m struck by how little it makes me feel.

I recall feeling this way during last year’s World Communion Sunday service. As we shared the communion breads that are traditional in other nations, I reflected on the countless Christians across the globe who were also sharing communion. Though their churches were different, their worship styles were different and their communion breads were different, we all shared one faith. Like staring up at those millions of stars, it was powerful, almost overwhelming; but it was also comforting to know that I was part of something so much bigger than myself.

World Communion Sunday was established as a reminder that this holy act transcends our differences and unites us as a people. I still recall the first time I attended service at a Presbyterian church. Though I was just a little girl, I remember the pastor inviting everyone to participate in the communion. It was an open communion, he explained, and it didn’t matter what church you belonged to; as long as you accepted Christ as your savior, you were invited to the table. It was the first time that I truly understood the significance of this act; we took communion not as a congregation or even as a denomination, but as part of a larger body of people who followed Christ and his teachings.

As I sit down each year with my family for World Communion Sunday, I also take a moment to say a silent prayer of gratitude that we have the freedom to worship peacefully, and I think about all those who do not. It is difficult to think about our faith—or any faith, for that matter—from a global perspective, and not feel a bit of heart ache for those living in regions where simply worshipping publicly puts one at risk. Though I feel blessed to be able to attend church when, where and how I choose with my children, I know that work remains to be done to ensure that others have that same freedom.

Last year, we chose World Communion Sunday to be our daughter’s first communion. I wanted her to always be mindful of the significance of this act; to always remember that we are connected to countless others around the globe who also worship God; to be reminded that Christ belongs not to a privileged few, but to all who seek him; and to always be striving to create a world where everyone may worship as they choose. I look forward to sharing World Communion with my family again this Sunday; my children, St. Mark family and my family of brothers and sisters around the world. 

St. Mark Presbyterian Church will honor World Communion Sunday during its 5 p.m. service this Saturday, Oct. 6, and at its 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, Oct. 7. The 10:30 service will be geared to families. Please join us for this special observance. All who follow Christ are welcome at his table.