This year, I get to give a workshop on offering gluten free communion. The why's, the how's, and the what's.
I have an hour and a half to cram all of the information about what gluten is, how it can affect people, and how we can make communion safe and welcoming to those with food intolerances and allergies. Whew! That's not much time.
So my question to you is: What would YOU say? My presentation is finished, for the most part. After all, Discovery Day is THIS Saturday! But I'm always interested in reader tips and ideas.
If you could bend the ear of several higher-ups in your denomination, what would you tell them about gluten free communion?
I'll let you know how it goes!
I would tell them how much it hurts to be excluded from the table because of CD. I'd remind them that they probably have someone in their congregation who can't take communion because of CD or wheat allergies.
ReplyDeleteI'd stress the importance of making full ingredient lists available (many people with CD have other allergies as well).
But most of all, I'd ask them to listen to their congregants.
It's great that so many people will have an opportunity to get educated on a very confusing but growing issue for the church. I sure appreciate when I have an opportunity to participate in communion while visiting other churches after having to "sit it out" for years.
ReplyDeleteTo make it easy on people with an assortment of allergies our church uses rice cakes instead of bread. Each rice cake is handled only by a educated (celiac person) volunteer who places the pieces in paper muffin cups and then covers that plate with a napkin. The plate is then placed in an area separate from the regular communion table.
I would be interested in hearing how other churches do this and if they make an informational announcement from the pulpit or put it in the bulletin on every communion Sunday.
What incredible hospitality! That is what resonates with me when I am provided GF communion. It is such a blessing and I am grateful.
ReplyDeleteIn my home church's weekly communion, the bread and cup are passed. I used to just pass the bread and say to myself "the bread of life." And then I would drink from the "cup of salvation." And this was okay, I told myself, because at least I got to participate.
And then I decided it was not okay. I was not participating in the bread of life! So I started bringing my own. Still not perfect but a much richer experience of communion.
Thank you for presenting at the workshop.
That is so awesome!! I can't wait to read how it went.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest advice? Be wary of the "crumb zone". My church breaks a loaf of bread, and until I spoke up, the gluten free communion was in danger of a sprinkling of wheat crumbs. Now the gf loaf is on the farthest corner of the table. The cup also looks slightly different so everyone knows to only use it for gf communion.
I like the "rice cake" idea. I am allergic to corn syrup which is in many bread products... I know this would be a little far out for many churches, but even printing the ingredients so that a variety of people with different allergies may be able to participate in the gluten free- most gluten free stuff doesn't have CS either. I usually have to pass on both because I just don't know.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of printing ingredients in the bulletin. I have multiple allergies, so even when GF communion is offered, I have to skip because I just don't know what is in it.
DeleteI don't have any tips, but wish you well. This is important info (my daughter has to abstain from gluten, dairy and eggs).
ReplyDelete