After recently teaching about the centrality of the fellowship meal within the first century Church, I eagerly waited for the next time our congregation would sit down to eat together in order to blend in a time of Holy Communion.  That time came yesterday, as we ate together at the conclusion of our annual chili and soup cookoff.

After everyone had gone through the food lines and were well under way eating their meal -- we paused, remembered Christ's words of institution, and then began to share from a common cup and loaf. It was beautiful.

In my own spiritual upbringing, Communion had become a purely individualistic exercise -- a reality I've intentionally worked to change. Even though I much prefer using a common loaf to a tray of individual wafers, partaking together around tables while we all shared a meal seemed to better reinforce the corporate reality of Christ's body and our connection to the Eucharisic meal.

I admit, I was a bit worried, hoping that no one would be offended by our partaking of Christ's body and blood in-between spoonfuls of chili. But so far, I've only heard positive comments. Observing communion in this way seems to fit easily with our "open table" stance, but I recognize that this approach  (i.e. partaking as part of a common meal) might not work well in communities of faith which require prior profession of faith and/or membership in order to receive the elements.

I'd be interested in hearing from any of you who have observed Holy Communion in a similar way, or if you have any thoughts or comments to share.