Church Today

[MBombardier]

We have both regular and gluten-free communion bread options. Each person dips in the wine or the juice, whichever is preferred. We solved the cross-contamination in the wine by sitting close to the front.

I was an Episcopalian for the first thirty-three years of my life. I bet your priest would be glad to accommodate you and any others with gluten intolerance, once she is made aware of it. What used to bother me more was the priest laying the wafer on the tongue of so many.

I am glad you were able to go to church!

[Martha]

Dear Denise,

I'm kind of late into this discussion here, but I'd really encourage you to explain your situation to your priest, and see if she would be open to the church getting gluten-free wafers and keeping some of the wine uncontaminated for you (and others who might have the same needs), and having your provide GF wafers yourself, if the church doesn't want to pay for special ones.

I'm a Baptist, so we don't have the same issues of blessing the communion elements as high churches do, but my pastor immediately said I could bring my own wafer. We have the cup in small individual cups, so no-one dips bread into it.

Not taking communion feels weird, I know. I skipped it at my son's church at Christmas, because I hadn't checked ahead of time on bringing my own, and I really missed being able to join in.

That said, I'm so glad that you were finally able to go to church after such a long absence. Definitely a big event.

Love,
Martha

[dgshelton]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

I spoke to my priest. The first thing out of her mouth was...my mother-in-law and sister-in-law both have gluten allergies. They don't attend our church, but I was so relieved to hear that she knew something about it. She thought for some reason that I shouldn't have red wine. I told her I didn't think that was the case....that my only concern was that the wine that I receive not be contaminated because of gluten wafers being dipped in it. She said she has a small chalice and case that is for giving communion to someone outside of church. It has never been used because the church also has one. She has offered to let that be mine and that she will only place gluten free wafers (that the church would provide) and wine directly out of the bottle. She said it would be blessed and then presented to me on the tray. I would place my own wafer and wine in the chalice and case before church so that I will be the only one to ever touch them.

So, I am elated, but is there any reason I should be concerned with the red wine?

Hugs,

[sarkin]

Denise,

I think testing the very small amount you'll have at communion would be a safe way to find out - even if you react, it will be small. I suspect myself of mast cell issues, but am able to tolerate wine - it seems. I take a Histame (an enzyme that helps clear histamine) when I have wine, but I don't think I would take one in order to take communion (they are a little price-y). You could have an anti-histamine in your purse, just for peace of mind (or you could take one pre-emptively, as insurance).

What a wonderful, generous, and absolutely trustworthy arrangement your priest has proposed! She really does "get it" and that is just wonderful. You must feel so good about this.

Love,
Sara

[Martha]

Denise,

I'm so happy for you that your priest so willingly accommodated your needs.



Martha

[Gloria]

Denise,

How fortunate that your priest has family members with gluten intolerances! I think the solution will work nicely.

Gloria

[tex]

I agree, it doesn't get much better than that.

Hugs,
Tex