wfn.org | UMNS# 05161-Agency plans ways to promote Holy Communion statement

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Agency plans ways to promote Holy Communion statement

Mar. 17, 2005	 News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*
Nashville {05161}

NOTE: Photographs and audio are available at http://umns.umc.org.
This story and links to related resources available online at
http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=6976.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-Holy Communion should be seen as a "kingdom
scene" in anticipation of what is to be, said the Rev. Daniel T.
Benedict Jr., in a presentation to the United Methodist Board of
Discipleship.

"Holy Communion is not a funeral service; it is a time to remember all
that Jesus did for us," said Benedict, a board staff executive. "It is
body and blood, not milk and cookies. Diners beware!"

When you partake of Holy Communion it should be done with an awareness
of what you are going to do with the rest of your life, he said.

Benedict presented a theological inquiry on Holy Communion and baptism
for the agency board of directors' spring meeting, held March 9-12 in
Nashville.

The 2004 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body,
approved a study on Holy Communion conducted by the Board of
Discipleship as the church's official, interpretive statement on the
sacrament.

The study, "This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy
Communion," was produced by a 19-member task force of the Board of
Discipleship. The 16-page paper clarifies United Methodist Holy
Communion tradition, theology and practice for local churches. It is
also intended to help the church be in accord with ecumenical movements
in sacramental theology and practice.

A conference on "This Holy Mystery" will be held April 26-28 in
Nashville for bishops, district superintendents, connectional ministries
directors, conference and district worship directors, seminary
professors, pastors, deacons and seminary students.

Benedict said the task force members all agreed that Holy Communion
should be celebrated weekly.

Eucharist should become "ordinary, not extraordinary," he said. The
Lord's Supper should form the church into a community that reaches out,
he added.

"If you are meeting Christ each week, of course you will reach out."

Benedict said baptism means "all the narrow places, the boundaries, all
the things that make us distinctive evaporate, and we all become world
citizens."

"We will spend a lifetime working it out."

"Each board meeting will have someone do theological instruction on the
work of disciple making," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive
for the board. "Baptism is the basis from which our ministry springs; we
are baptized and then we start a lifelong journey of growth in faith.
Holy Communion is the meal that reminds us of the great love of God."

"We want to be grounded in those two sacraments," she said.

In an opening address to the members, Greenwaldt said the board helps
leaders in all areas of the church look "holistically at the health and
vitality of local churches and annual conferences."

Once every quadrennium, the board evaluates and approves affiliated
organizations-independent religious organizations that have an official
relationship with the United Methodist Church. The Discipleship
Ministries division approved 16 organizations at the spring meeting.

The board also approved holding a Global Young People's Convocation in
late May 2007 in a central conference. Sponsored by the Division on
Ministries with Young People, the convocation will be for United
Methodists ages 12 to 30 and adult workers with youth and young adults.
The event will celebrate the mission and vitality of young people,
develop young people as leaders, highlight emerging trends in youth and
young adult ministry, and provide a forum that embraces the church's
global reality.

Greenwaldt said a highlight of the board's March meeting was the "spirit
of the board, their excitement about the mission of the church."

The meeting ended with a Holy Communion service in which participants
were told, "Live the cross, make disciples (and) be attentive to the
poor, the sick and the oppressed."

# # #

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org