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How do you handle this?
Pat
For those who are GF - How do you handle communion?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Pat,
Honestly, my solution so far has been to avoid communion since I went GF in August. I tend to think that if God "gets" MC, then God gets that I can't have gluten or dip my GF wafer into a common container, so I haven't had any personal conscience issues on that account. But that's a solution that works for me, and it may not work for everyone.
I think handling communion would probably be different based on your specific tradition (I'm protestant) and the way that communion is served in that tradition, which might determine your risk of cross-contamination. Have you talked to your minister or priest about this? I think that it's surely something churches will have to address in the near future, given the rising rates of food allergies. I'm sure if you didn't feel comfortable taking communion during the service because of the risk of cross-contamination, your minister or priest could administer communion privately. He or she might even be willing to set aside a special GF portion for you to take during the service. If you're concerned, I would definitely talk to your religious leader about the situation. I'm sure you'll be able to work out a solution together.
Courtney
Honestly, my solution so far has been to avoid communion since I went GF in August. I tend to think that if God "gets" MC, then God gets that I can't have gluten or dip my GF wafer into a common container, so I haven't had any personal conscience issues on that account. But that's a solution that works for me, and it may not work for everyone.
I think handling communion would probably be different based on your specific tradition (I'm protestant) and the way that communion is served in that tradition, which might determine your risk of cross-contamination. Have you talked to your minister or priest about this? I think that it's surely something churches will have to address in the near future, given the rising rates of food allergies. I'm sure if you didn't feel comfortable taking communion during the service because of the risk of cross-contamination, your minister or priest could administer communion privately. He or she might even be willing to set aside a special GF portion for you to take during the service. If you're concerned, I would definitely talk to your religious leader about the situation. I'm sure you'll be able to work out a solution together.
Courtney
Hypothyroid 05/05
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
Hi Pat,
I was glad to see your question because it is a concern of mine. I asked one of the staff at my church about the communion wafers and they do contain gluten. I am aware that some churches do have gluten free wafers. She is researching if they can get some. Apparently I must be the first person at church that has asked about it. I inquired of my niece as her two children both have celiac. She said they bring their own bread for communion. So I have tried that (and gotten a puzzling look or two.) But the problem also is when they do the method that has us dipping the wafer into a common cup. I'm afraid that's not a good idea. However, the wafers they use are round white disks that look a bit like styrofoam. They don't look as though they would leave residue in the cup. I'm at a loss to know if that could cause a problem.
Jean
I was glad to see your question because it is a concern of mine. I asked one of the staff at my church about the communion wafers and they do contain gluten. I am aware that some churches do have gluten free wafers. She is researching if they can get some. Apparently I must be the first person at church that has asked about it. I inquired of my niece as her two children both have celiac. She said they bring their own bread for communion. So I have tried that (and gotten a puzzling look or two.) But the problem also is when they do the method that has us dipping the wafer into a common cup. I'm afraid that's not a good idea. However, the wafers they use are round white disks that look a bit like styrofoam. They don't look as though they would leave residue in the cup. I'm at a loss to know if that could cause a problem.
Jean
You might think you understood what I said but what you don't realize is that what I said was not what I meant!
Hi All,
Gluten-free communion wafers are available, but, of course, the church, pastor, priest, etc., would have to approve them. Here, for example, are some that are free of all intolerances:
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductD ... pid=352972
Here's a very interesting article about this topic, that appeared in Living Without Magazine, and it even includes some recipes for making your own:
http://www.livingwithout.com/features/f ... rship.html
One would think that something such as this would be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but when that law made its way through Congress, a coalition of churches, backed by the White House, lobbied for a blanket exclusion, on the ground that to include religious institutions would violate the doctrine of the separation of church and state. Therefore, churches are left to establish their own policies, on any disability issues.
Tex
Gluten-free communion wafers are available, but, of course, the church, pastor, priest, etc., would have to approve them. Here, for example, are some that are free of all intolerances:
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductD ... pid=352972
Here's a very interesting article about this topic, that appeared in Living Without Magazine, and it even includes some recipes for making your own:
http://www.livingwithout.com/features/f ... rship.html
One would think that something such as this would be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but when that law made its way through Congress, a coalition of churches, backed by the White House, lobbied for a blanket exclusion, on the ground that to include religious institutions would violate the doctrine of the separation of church and state. Therefore, churches are left to establish their own policies, on any disability issues.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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MaggieRedwings
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Someone at work was just talking about this last week since they know I am GF. Their church (catholic) will not allow the GF communion wafers as they feel it takes away from the sacrament. How stupid is that!?
Love, Maggie
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
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Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Hi All,
I remember when this came up some years ago, and yes, the individual priest must make the decision. I recall someone here who was told that same thing, Maggie, when she asked about using a GF wafer. She was quite religious and seemed devastated by the response.
When I last attended communion (this past Easter in church with my mother-inlaw) I decided to fold my hands and just receive a blessing. It didn't work - the priest pressed a wafer into my closed hands anyway. So I dipped it in the wine cup and then placed it in a tissue in my pocket. I later gave it to my hubby. Definitely not ideal but what can you do? Even the tiniest crumb of gluten makes me sick. I think if I went regularly I would take my own GF wafer and just go ahead and use it - and probably never even mention it to the priest. (But I've always been a little bit of a rebel...... Tee Hee.)
Love,
Polly
I remember when this came up some years ago, and yes, the individual priest must make the decision. I recall someone here who was told that same thing, Maggie, when she asked about using a GF wafer. She was quite religious and seemed devastated by the response.
When I last attended communion (this past Easter in church with my mother-inlaw) I decided to fold my hands and just receive a blessing. It didn't work - the priest pressed a wafer into my closed hands anyway. So I dipped it in the wine cup and then placed it in a tissue in my pocket. I later gave it to my hubby. Definitely not ideal but what can you do? Even the tiniest crumb of gluten makes me sick. I think if I went regularly I would take my own GF wafer and just go ahead and use it - and probably never even mention it to the priest. (But I've always been a little bit of a rebel...... Tee Hee.)
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Personaly (I'm Protestant, by the way), I feel that your mental attitude during the Communion service is more important than the actual act of taking Communion. Although I realize that a Catholic person probably doesn't understand that statement.
I guess, if I were Catholic, I'd probably try Polly's idea.
Love, Shirley
I guess, if I were Catholic, I'd probably try Polly's idea.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
I discussed this with my bishop (I'm a Mormon). Lucky for me, another family had just discovered a gluten intolerance in their family and had discussed what to do with him, too. We use bread for communion, so I just bring my own bread up to the sacrament table and hand it to the priesthood holders in a special cup (an old Crystal Lite container) with my name written on it. The priesthood holders make sure to bring me the tray with the cup of bread having my name. At the same time that I take my piece of bread, I also remove the cup and put it in my purse to use again. We don't dip the bread.
The other family brings their own bread, too, but they are comfortable with it being placed on the tray with all the other bread. I guess they're not worried about cross-contamination. They've offered to let me use their bread, but I think it might have eggs in it, so we each handle ours separately.
Gloria
The other family brings their own bread, too, but they are comfortable with it being placed on the tray with all the other bread. I guess they're not worried about cross-contamination. They've offered to let me use their bread, but I think it might have eggs in it, so we each handle ours separately.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Well,
I am Catholic - there *is* resistance to modifying wafers to anything but wheat-based (as there is always resistance to any type of change in the RCC!) BUT I have heard in Ireland GF wafers are commonly distributed....Hmm we have a new Irish pastor - he seems more progressive than most - I may bring it up to him!
Anyways, I opt to just drink from the cup. I believe it is different than protestant churches - there is no dipping/dunking. I'm not worried about the minute chance of cross contamination - the cup is wiped between each receiver. However I am "opting out" for the forseeable future due to swine flu concerns...
Mary
I am Catholic - there *is* resistance to modifying wafers to anything but wheat-based (as there is always resistance to any type of change in the RCC!) BUT I have heard in Ireland GF wafers are commonly distributed....Hmm we have a new Irish pastor - he seems more progressive than most - I may bring it up to him!
Anyways, I opt to just drink from the cup. I believe it is different than protestant churches - there is no dipping/dunking. I'm not worried about the minute chance of cross contamination - the cup is wiped between each receiver. However I am "opting out" for the forseeable future due to swine flu concerns...
Mary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intinction
I go to the Methodist church and this is the way we have been receiving communion for several years now. We are given the bread by the server and then we dip the bread in the cup of juice. I have chosen to not participate because I could not find a way to not put it in my mouth when they are standing there watching you. I also am avoiding fruit juice as well as gluten.
Thanks to all who shared their experiences! I'm just hoping to learn from you and maybe be able to help someone else!
Pat
I go to the Methodist church and this is the way we have been receiving communion for several years now. We are given the bread by the server and then we dip the bread in the cup of juice. I have chosen to not participate because I could not find a way to not put it in my mouth when they are standing there watching you. I also am avoiding fruit juice as well as gluten.
Thanks to all who shared their experiences! I'm just hoping to learn from you and maybe be able to help someone else!
Pat
If you pastor won't make allowances for your gluten intolerance I'm not sure how you can solve this problem since it will be obvious whatever you do or don't do.
Sounds like the best you could do is keep the tradition in your mind. Concentrate on what Jesus Christ has done for mankind and more personally for you. Consider all the works he did (and does) on our behalf. Concentrate on Who and What He really is. Honor Him with your thoughts. Do this through the entire service. I do not believe God will judge you harshly for foregoing the actual unleavened bread & wine. (or whatever substitute might be used). I am not a pastor/priest/spiritual adviser by any means but I do believe God honors the intentions of the heart. I'd rather do it this way than to be thinking about how important or how "good" I am, or what I plan to do as soon as I get out of here. blah, blah,blah.............. This I don't believe God honors even though you do physically eat the bread and drink the wine.
Sorry about the tirade. I'll shut up about it all now, I promise.
Love, Shirley
Sounds like the best you could do is keep the tradition in your mind. Concentrate on what Jesus Christ has done for mankind and more personally for you. Consider all the works he did (and does) on our behalf. Concentrate on Who and What He really is. Honor Him with your thoughts. Do this through the entire service. I do not believe God will judge you harshly for foregoing the actual unleavened bread & wine. (or whatever substitute might be used). I am not a pastor/priest/spiritual adviser by any means but I do believe God honors the intentions of the heart. I'd rather do it this way than to be thinking about how important or how "good" I am, or what I plan to do as soon as I get out of here. blah, blah,blah.............. This I don't believe God honors even though you do physically eat the bread and drink the wine.
Sorry about the tirade. I'll shut up about it all now, I promise.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill