One pastor shared with me that his church does gluten free communion, but they'd been "doing it wrong." I asked for some clarification (I often learn best from the shared experiences of others!).
His church had offered gluten free wafers on the same tray as the regular bread. Oops. I only wish it could be that simple! He's now considering offering all gf communion. I say, go for it!
Another reader wrote in to tell me that they offer the gf sacrament on the same tray as the regular bread, but they saran-wrap the gf version. Not a bad idea, and one I hadn't heard before.
So, to these two readers and the other pastors and churchgoers who have left a comment or sent me an email about gluten free communion this week, I give you a GFJF gold star. Or perhaps, something tastier than that?
How about a cherry cola with EXTRA maraschino cherries? Come visit me in Wisconsin and I'll buy you one in person. It's a promise.
Seriously, though - thank you for taking the importance of this to heart, and for working to open up the communion table to all those who seek to follow Jesus, dietary oddities or no. You rock. Keep up the good work!
Hello!
ReplyDeleteThe Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration produce a low-gluten altar bread (communion wafer). To date, it's the only Vatican-approved low-gluten wafer and is used by people of many faiths around the world.
The Center for Celiac Research tested the wafers and concluded that the less than 0.01% gluten content of the breads are safe for most celiacs.
Our customers usually order the breads themselves and deliver them personally to the priest or pastor to prevent contamination with regular hosts. You can find out more here: http://altarbreadsbspa.com/lowgluten.php.
It's been such a pleasure to bring this ministry to celiacs and allergy sufferers so they can continue to participate in communion!
Blessings, Kelley Baldwin