Communion

[desertdweller4]

Our church doesn't offer gluten-free communion wafers, so I always have to pack a little container in my purse with gluten-free crackers. It feels really isolating considering communion is a community of people coming together to take part in something very symbolic and important to us as Christians. It's not so bad when the tray is passed and there are individual cups of juice, but sometimes they have a wine glass for dipping at a table (cross contamination).

Anyone else feel sad about communion changing for you as a Celiac? I'm guessing many churches now offer gluten-free elements.

Just venting a bit...With Celiac I am daily reminded of my disease and constantly having to deal with it in social settings. It's very tiring.

 

[GFinDC]

I've done just the wine/grape juice before.  I think that is ok.  The point is to remember Jesus.  I think the wine does that as well.  There are some older threads where people talked about asking their pastors/priests to prepare separate gluten-free bread or wrap their gluten-free hosts in a small towel for protection.  And then the person would be served first to prevent cross-contamination.  Seems like a workable plan?

Having celiac disease does limit some aspects of life.  But it also can lead us into eating healthier and that is good.  Sometimes our healthier eating habits may even rub-off on nearby people too.  So that's ok.

[SophiesMom]

Our church recently started serving allergen free communion bread, so everyone can safely take communion.

 

[Scott Adams]

Maybe talk privately with your pastor about this, and let him/her know that communion should not make you feel isolated from the others, and a small adjustment on their part could make you feel included.

[notme]

I bring my own bread up to the altar with me and my pastor blesses it as 'the body of Christ, given for you' - then they have little glasses of juice/wine.  the pastor we have now has a son diagnosed with crohns, so he understands special needs diets.  but even our previous pastors were ok with it.  it's symbolic - we're not *really* drinking wine, anyway.  

we were out of town for Christmas one year, and it was Christmas eve candle light communion service.  I took my bread up, and the server blessed it.  but, they had a community cup, and there was no way I was dipping.  I just faked the motion lolz, the only one who noticed was the lady holding the cup.  

o, and I always bring a few extra pieces of gluten-free bread - my brother never remembers to bring his and if there's anyone else who needs it, they don't need to skip the sacrament  

I figure:  God made me this way, so he understands.