Twitter Communion

Posted by Matthew Jones 29 Jul 2010 at 16:30

I think that we can "celebrate the special unity we have in the universal Church" without "set[ing] aside our denominational practices and beliefs"

In so much as, what my church (and I'm not sure if I am talking as a Methodist by upbringing or Anglican by practice) sees as communion could not be done over twitter or in St pixels. Communion (to me) is about people gathered sharing one sacrament, consecrated by someone in holy orders. That's why communion at meets such as Morley in the past have been so very special.

Having said that I don't see communion as being the be-all and end-all of worship or church life.

So yes you can do something that looks like communion, quacks like communion, but I don't think it would actually _be_ communion

Posted by pearla 29 Jul 2010 at 20:28

I'm much in agreement with Matthew on this, I don't see how it can work on twitter! It just wouldn't seem ' sacred', it's reducing the sacrament to something not quite errr 'holy'! I miss not having communion at our church as often as I'd like (like every week :) and although twitter may have it's uses, like was said in the paper. The Lord's prayer, or scripture verses...but no not communion, could be anybody saying they are who they are not! (and I wonder if that matters actually) : /
Aren't we all a 'Royal Priesthood' and members of the body with Christ as the head?
Which leads me to ask...why do the sacraments have to be 'blessed' by someone in 'holy orders' does that mean that ministers/priests/vicars ......are more 'holy' than the rest of us? : /.......I thought Jesus showed no favourites and he had more trouble with the leaders than with the ordinary folk it seems to me :).
No for me, it wouldn't work or seem right, sorry!

Posted by Jeff 29 Jul 2010 at 20:49

I was brought up in a Baptist church where Communion took place "in secret" during a "members only" bit tacked onto the end of some services. So it wasn't until I became a member myself that I got to see just what a communion service looked like. I still remember the first time I experienced communion in a home setting using whatever it was we found in the drinks cabinet instead of the official holy Ribena. I was shocked at first by what didn't seem quite right but soon realised that it was only a culture shock that I was experiencing, nothing more.

Since then I've taken part in communion services in a variety of different styles and denominations and got something out of most of them. But very few have been anything like the last supper where Jesus asked us to "do this in remembrance of me".

So I don't see online communion as being any less like a celebration of the last supper than any other service I've taken part in. Consequently I can't see any reason not to take part in one if I was invited . I do however respect the fact that others see this quite differently and I wouldn't ever want to make online communion an obstacle that divides Christians.

Posted by Sonseeker 29 Jul 2010 at 20:51

I enjoy the services at St Ps very much. I have been coming here as I haven't been able to get to a church although now we have moved to a village where one is open once a month that will be great.

The services flow on here, we can interact with each other where you can't on Twitter. On line or Twitter isn't for me the place for communion. Saying that I go along with pearla, what makes the priesthood so special? I know that at one time vicars, priests etc were seen to be of a higher standing and were seen as closer to God. Nowadays they don't have that special rank. But if the communion wasn't blessed by the priesthood who would bless it? Which brings us back to the Twitter situation, the communion has to be blessed, so by whom. Doesn't seem to me that this has been thoroughly examined and though through.

Also where will people be when they are participating in the communion? Some places don't seem appropriate.

Posted by Jen 29 Jul 2010 at 23:27

Matthew Jones said: " Communion (to me) is about people gathered sharing one sacrament, "

So where does extended communion come into it? Communion is taken out to people in their homes or hospital beds etc - I'm not sure how that is people gathered together.

Posted by Celtic Dreamer 29 Jul 2010 at 23:37

People can gather together over the net - we do that in Expressions do we not?

Posted by kailex 30 Jul 2010 at 00:20

Since I don't believe ministers have special powers - and I don't believe the bread being blessed means anything at all - the lack of either would not concern me.

If we all planned to eat and drink at the same time - I think I might well feel "in communion" with other people in Expressions.

I would certainly be willing to try, but not the twitter one, it would work best for me as part of a community, like Pix.

Posted by Dom 30 Jul 2010 at 07:44

If I beilve it is the physical taking of bread and wine prepared in a certain way that's important, then I would not be able to entertain on-line communion. Seeing it as a representation of a place to hang my coat of faith, a heartfelt illustration of my belief, then online communion becomes possible to me.

Again, an appropriate place is where my heart is right for open communication with God, not the physical setting. So I think online could or would fall into that placing.

The only thing is, I don't Twitter, registered, but never use it.

Posted by truthpaste 30 Jul 2010 at 07:58

I think an environment - although I personally have no webcam atm - like Skype would be ideal for small groups to have communion together as some among them may wish to feel that connection with others particularly if they are in an isolated situation anyway.

Posted by Vee 30 Jul 2010 at 12:40

I clearly don't understand the difference between a love feast and communion. Apart from not being enamoured of Twitter, I see no problem with it

Posted by Jeff 30 Jul 2010 at 16:53

Looks like it ain't going to happen now homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.ross/twittercommunion/

Posted by kailex 30 Jul 2010 at 18:01

So, could StPixels be the first then?

What do people think about a Pix Communion/love feast?
Mind you, "love feast" - hmmm - not a word which really brings to mind anything positive, for me, anyway.

Posted by Jen 30 Jul 2010 at 18:06

An Agape sounds better!

Posted by Vee 30 Jul 2010 at 19:45

Sounds like I've left a button undone!

But seriously, I'd be interested enough to come along if it was at a manageable time for me.

Posted by Roger 30 Jul 2010 at 21:43

Anyone can say words and consume bread and wine. It's only a Eucharist if you are sincere, if you are obeying Jesus' commands, if you are doing this in remembrance of Him and his passion. Otherwise its meaningless. Not even negative, just empty.
I think this is a church. I think we gather together in community. When two or three of us are in the same room we can pray, even if we're together only virtually.
On some occasions when I've said evening prayer in my own church, I have been alone. But I've still said the words "We have come together in the name of Christ" because worldwide we come together as a communion of saints.
If some people find it impossible to accept communion online, I wouldn't condemn them. If it's meaningless to them, that's a pity but theyre not wrong. It's just that, for those who are feel it is right, the communion is authentic, the sacrament is real, and theyre not wrong either. I would love to be a part of obeying Jesus command virtually and designing such a sacramental act.

Posted by Explorer1 30 Jul 2010 at 21:52

In the virtual world, though, what is the electronic equivalent of the basic act of 'eating basic foodstuff whilst sharing in a joint act'? It's not just to all sit and eat our own bread and wine (I can do that anyway), nor is it looking at pictures of the things on my screen. I feel that what Jesus instituted for his church to use as a memento of him MAY be adaptable, but it would look quite different online. Suggestions, anyone?

Posted by Roger 30 Jul 2010 at 21:53

Sorry, I wrote all that as if it was sound doctrine, and I was telling you what's right. I should have said that's how it seems to me. It would not feel heretical to me, and in the absence of post-electronic-era scripture, the feeling that it's not contrary to the Bible's teaching is all I can go on. Although I would be happy to discuss it with scholars and theologians.

Posted by Roger 30 Jul 2010 at 22:02

Yes, I think that's where a main difference of opinion is likely to emerge. My preferred solution would be to have your own bread and wine or grape juice; for it to be consecrated centrally (i.e. online). I think that in terms of elements its all part of One creation anyway, just as we are one family even though we're spread across the world. Physically separate doesn't mean we are not together spiritually. And that also goes for the body of Christ.

And for many decades the norm at most churches in the UK was to use communion wafers, which never started out as one piece of bread in the first place. Using a loaf or a bread bun is a relatively recent return to a tradition!

Posted by kailex 30 Jul 2010 at 22:06

Consecrated - Roger?

Made "special"?

Why?

Posted by Roger 30 Jul 2010 at 22:10

Because for me that is what would make it more than just eating and drinking alone. If you think diffeently, then maybe the words of consecration are just a prayer, or just a tradition for you. But theyre harmless, and so there's no reason for you to object to them. For me, they are crucial.

Posted by pearla 30 Jul 2010 at 22:13

Thanks for that link Jeff, what a good article, came across very well I thought :)
I also like TP's idea of Skype then people can at least see each other and it would seem more real? Don't know if I'd partake personally but I have Skype and a webcam at the ready .... just in case :)

Posted by kailex 30 Jul 2010 at 22:33

I don't object, Roger :-)

I just truly don't understand.

When is bread not normal bread?

Posted by Roger 30 Jul 2010 at 22:50

Kailex> When is bread not normal bread?
When it has been consecrated by a priest and becomes the body of Christ. Jesus didn't say "whenever you break a bit of bread you can use it to remind you of this evening." He said "this is my body." and then he said "Do this ..."
Look, I know that some people don't believe in all this mumbo jumbo and magic, and they think those of us who do are just being silly. But it can't be a new idea to you Kailex, so please don't feign such bewilderment! If that's what makes it communion for some, then that's what they have to do. It's called a sacrament, and it's meaningless without it. Some Christians don't believe that a priest is anything more than a job, but since a priest doesn't actually invalidate comunion for them, and it's vital for others, we might as well have a priest if we can get one.
Do what you can to make it work for as many as possible without doing anything that might invlidate it for others. It's a fuzzy path but I'm trying to walk it.
Personally, I think I might be comfy without a priest, but it would have to be someone who had been judged as having a genuine calling to 'minister' to people. Not just someone who wanted to do it.

Posted by kailex 30 Jul 2010 at 23:07

Roger - I am not that au fait at all with Anglican rituals - I don't think you silly - but my bewilderment is not feigned.

I do know Roman Catholics think the bread becomes flesh - is that what you also think?

I certainly can not accept that communion is meaningless without the bread having been blessed - and I have no idea what that means either!!

Communion is remembering Christ's sacrifice - I can find no biblical evidence anyone is needed to do something - and I honestly do not understand what the C of E think a preist actually does (yes - he blesses - what does that DO?).

Posted by Daffodil 30 Jul 2010 at 23:10

Roger said..."And for many decades the norm at most churches in the UK was to use communion wafers, which never started out as one piece of bread in the first place. Using a loaf or a bread bun is a relatively recent return to a tradition!"

I have only encountered wafers when taking communion at other churches (yukkkkkkkk!!!). We have always had bread.

Jen said "So where does extended communion come into it? Communion is taken out to people in their homes or hospital beds etc - I'm not sure how that is people gathered together."

Since 2007 90% of our communions have been by extension.