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Sundays At Church

Rowena

By Rowena
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Rowena Rising Star
Rowena
Posted

So I have not been able to attend church in a long time because we have a bad habit of either trying supposedly gluten free restaurants or going to families' houses on a friday or saturday. Of course, this usually means glutening. (UGH I HATE GLUTEN!) But at anyrate, I just have to say, first off, MY HUSBAND IS AWESOME.

Second off, we talked to my bishop at church. Or rather, my husband did out of worry for me. But anyway, in our church-I think a lot of churches have something similar, but I am not versed on it I will admit-we have an ordinance called the sacrament where we partake of bread and water in remembrance of Christ. Obviously I can't have the bread, so my hubby talked to our bishop and asked him what to do. (The best part was I never even said anything, and I just took the bread when I could go and suffered the consequences later.) The bishop said I could bring bread or a cracker that I could eat and put it in a separate cup for the sacrament, and then they would make sure I got it. I have to sit in front so they can make sure no one cc's it before it gets to me but thats that.

Anyway, so once again I couldn't go to church yesterday, and my husband comes home and tells me a story. (By the way we talked to my bishop the previous sunday.) Apparently some people asked him, not realizing I wasn't there, if he had brought some safe bread. He couldn't believe how on top of things they were. Its amazing!

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wheeleezdryver Community Regular
wheeleezdryver
Posted

That is cool, Rowena!!!

a couple months ago, I posted on my blog here about what my Bishop told me. But I can share a synopsis here :) he had to ask other Bishop's then get back to me. Come to find out one of the other Bishops' also can't have gluten :). that was cool to know. I had said I'm gluten intolerant... so my bishop suggested, if i can manage it, to just take the bread on Sundays. Or I can do what was suggested to you. Well, i don't want to even try just a little bit of gluten just once a week. And, the way things are/ have been recently with my husband and his back problems, it's unpredictable every week as to wether or not I'm able to go to church that week-- and often i don't know until 10- 15 mins before church starts, and on the weeks i AM able to go, i never know where I will be sitting, so that option wouldn't work for me right now, either but it is one I will keep in mind).

So, for me right now, i just bring my own bread and eat it whereever I'm sitting (noone else touching it). i told my bishop that I'm okay without it officially being blessed-- for me, it's the meaning that counts.

But anywho, that is awesome that they were aware and asked your DH and that your Dh was concerned enough to talk to the bishop for you :) in the first place!!

emaegf Newbie
emaegf
Posted

Last year when I started going back to church. a friend told me they have set aside an area in the chapel for all the gluten free memembers. We have so many gluten-free that we have a section of 3 rows. Are sacrement is passed we can change seats if we choose but it's nice to know we can partake without worry and ramifications later.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

Oh, that's so nice. I hope you can attend soon and partake of communion again. I had the Lord's Supper for the first time in eight months at church this past Sunday. About eight months ago I had just done like you and taken the bread anyway. I was so sick immediately I went to the bathroom and vomited, then I had spots in front of my eyes and had to have my husband take me home. So I hadn't participated in communion since then. This past week I had finally worked it out to bring my own small piece of gltuen free bread. My husband broke the gluten-free bread for me and he and I had some, then I had the "wine" (which is really grape juice in little plastic cups). Right before the service I was worried that they wouldn't serve me the wine because I didn't take the bread and I didn't want to have to make a scene to get the wine (lol). I went and talked to the pastor again about it to remind him I had brought my gltuen free bread, but would take some wine. He went and told the ushers my husband and I would be taking wine and not bread. Everything went smoothly. I was so happy and blessed.

compucajun Rookie
compucajun
Posted

For those Catholics / Episcopalians out there ... there are low-gluten / gluten-free hosts. They are cruncher than usual and a little yellow, but they are the same size. Benedictine convent in Clyde, Missouri makes them. Over two years of experiments they have developed a Communion wafer that has been approved as valid material for the Eucharist by the Holy See.

Rowena Rising Star
Rowena
Posted
  • Author

I wonder if a lot of times, its just a matter of speaking up, especially in a church setting. We are taught at church to be kind and helpful and loving, (something I am pretty sure is taught in most churches/religions) and sometimes people don't know we need help unless we say something. And yet, at least in my case, I am too shy to ask for help.

thleensd Enthusiast
thleensd
Posted

I read an article that there was a gluten-free family in Rexburg, ID that started bringing rice bread. Same thing there, it turned out there were other gluten-free people that needed it. They ended up training the people that handled the bread that the SAME PERSON would only handle (break) that bread, then only gluten-free bread was on that tray... and everyone has gotten a Celiac education!

Bravo, and a good reminder for all of us to speak up!

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wheeleezdryver Community Regular
wheeleezdryver
Posted

Hi guys--- I have a question that relates to gluten intolerance and church, hope it's all right if i go ahead and ask it here:)

so, my question is, if you or a family member are sick (or recovering from surgery), how do you handle people bringing you dinners???

1-do you try to explain your food sensitivity and pray they'll get the ingredients right, and not CC you?

2-Do you not explain, and just plan on cooking your own food, or having a knowledgeable family member do it for you (while everyone else eats the meal brought)?

3-Do you ask that they just bring enough food for the gluten- eaters in your family?

4-Do you say, 'due to allergies, please don't bring us food. but we would appreciate it someone calling to check on us &/ or coming by to do light housework'. 9in other words, rather than having someone bring a meal, offer them another way to serve)

5- Do you ask that someone come to your home to cook (A lady in our neighborhood has food allergies, and when she asked for help w/ meals after a recent surgery, that is what she asked for. Otherwise i never would have thought of that idea!)

6- or maybe just asked that people give you boxed items (uncooked), or say fresh/ frozen/ canned items... in otherwords, something that you can give to someone else if it's not something you/ your family can/ will eat?

okay, that's all the 'variations' i can think of!

My DH's back problems have been acting up since the beginning of the year. Which has caused way too many sleepless nights & stressful days for us. Not to mention i'm trying to figure out other food intolerances (fructose). I should have asked for help from my church a couple days ago, if not a week ago, but a) i'm a lil slow on things sometimes b)I'm stubborn... and keep thinking things will get better tomorrow, ect. and c) wasn't quite sure how to handle the gluten- free aspect of it.

i don't know why, I'm just not always comfortable talking about my now having food sensitivities. And it's not easy to tell someone that wants to help you that you can't take their help, or at least not the same way everyone else can.

i think, in our situation right now, i will go with option #3 listed above-- ask that they only bring food for my DH... and because i've been an LDS gal all my life, i know how LDS women cook-- they don't know how to cook for just one (or two :)) people, so will ask meals be brought every other day, so DH can eat the leftovers for dinner the next day (and probably lunch as well...), that way we don't get stuck w/ 5 days worth of leftovers at the end of the week :). And I'm thinking i might see if someone can help me take down my holiday decorations & Christmas tree.

And yes, we've had some of the men from the church vome by, and will again if/ when needed (those of you that are LDS know what i'm referring to).

Anywho, looking forward to hearing how you all have/ would handle this :). Thanks!

emaegf Newbie
emaegf
Posted

#3-#6 works. I had surgery in September. A few days before a sister called and asked if she could arrange meals for me for after I got home, I told her that I had so many food allergies that I would only trust one sister in the ward to cook for me and she just had a baby so no it won't be a good idea but I needed someone to pick up my mail for me for a few days and do some other small tasks I won't be able to do for a few weeks. That took care of it and another friend came and cooked for me in my home with my ingredients I knew were safe. My HT happily took my garbage to the dumpster for me and checked on my mother as well while I was laid up.

Most members are just happy to help in any small way they can.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

Hi guys--- I have a question that relates to gluten intolerance and church, hope it's all right if i go ahead and ask it here:)

so, my question is, if you or a family member are sick (or recovering from surgery), how do you handle people bringing you dinners???

1-do you try to explain your food sensitivity and pray they'll get the ingredients right, and not CC you?

2-Do you not explain, and just plan on cooking your own food, or having a knowledgeable family member do it for you (while everyone else eats the meal brought)?

3-Do you ask that they just bring enough food for the gluten- eaters in your family?

4-Do you say, 'due to allergies, please don't bring us food. but we would appreciate it someone calling to check on us &/ or coming by to do light housework'. 9in other words, rather than having someone bring a meal, offer them another way to serve)

5- Do you ask that someone come to your home to cook (A lady in our neighborhood has food allergies, and when she asked for help w/ meals after a recent surgery, that is what she asked for. Otherwise i never would have thought of that idea!)

6- or maybe just asked that people give you boxed items (uncooked), or say fresh/ frozen/ canned items... in otherwords, something that you can give to someone else if it's not something you/ your family can/ will eat?

okay, that's all the 'variations' i can think of!

My DH's back problems have been acting up since the beginning of the year. Which has caused way too many sleepless nights & stressful days for us. Not to mention i'm trying to figure out other food intolerances (fructose). I should have asked for help from my church a couple days ago, if not a week ago, but a) i'm a lil slow on things sometimes b)I'm stubborn... and keep thinking things will get better tomorrow, ect. and c) wasn't quite sure how to handle the gluten- free aspect of it.

i don't know why, I'm just not always comfortable talking about my now having food sensitivities. And it's not easy to tell someone that wants to help you that you can't take their help, or at least not the same way everyone else can.

i think, in our situation right now, i will go with option #3 listed above-- ask that they only bring food for my DH... and because i've been an LDS gal all my life, i know how LDS women cook-- they don't know how to cook for just one (or two :)) people, so will ask meals be brought every other day, so DH can eat the leftovers for dinner the next day (and probably lunch as well...), that way we don't get stuck w/ 5 days worth of leftovers at the end of the week :). And I'm thinking i might see if someone can help me take down my holiday decorations & Christmas tree.

And yes, we've had some of the men from the church vome by, and will again if/ when needed (those of you that are LDS know what i'm referring to).

Anywho, looking forward to hearing how you all have/ would handle this :). Thanks!

I was sick with brochitis that turned to pnuemonia last year in November and I had this issue come up then. The ladies of the church offered to provide me and my husband with meals while I was sick. I simply replied that I had celiac and multiple food allergies and would prefer they not bring obvious gluten foods into my house (bread, crackers, pasta, etc) But that if they wanted to provide a meat and veggie type meal that my husband would probably enjoy eating it. They ended up not doing anything for me and I was really okay with that. I would never ask anyone to come clean my house for me while I'm sick--I would be too embarrased by the state of my house to let them in, LOL. I also can't stand flowers due to allergies so those would not be a good option. I had a friend ask if they could pick up any cold meds for me one time and that was very much appreciated as I could just tell them to get a brand I knew was gluten free. But again I wouldn't just ask them to get me anything like that unless I was really in need--my DH takes pretty good care of me when I'm sick. :)

diane64 Apprentice
diane64
Posted

I receive the low gluten host every Sunday at mass. I have to get there a little early to sign up for it. It is worth it!

Diane

For those Catholics / Episcopalians out there ... there are low-gluten / gluten-free hosts. They are cruncher than usual and a little yellow, but they are the same size. Benedictine convent in Clyde, Missouri makes them. Over two years of experiments they have developed a Communion wafer that has been approved as valid material for the Eucharist by the Holy See.

Cinnamongirl Rookie
Cinnamongirl
Posted

I receive the low gluten host every Sunday at mass. I have to get there a little early to sign up for it. It is worth it!

Diane

I'm glad to see churches are acknowledging that many members cannot eat wheat and are accommodating them. We are to bear one another's burdens and it sounds like this is being done. I have been skipping the bread since I went Gluten free. We go to a Protestant church so we do not take communion every Sunday. I never know ahead of time when we will have it (usually once/month). Maybe it is time for me to speak up on my behalf as well as others. I've never liked being "different" so my tendancy is to avoid rather than speak up.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

I'm glad to see churches are acknowledging that many members cannot eat wheat and are accommodating them. We are to bear one another's burdens and it sounds like this is being done. I have been skipping the bread since I went Gluten free. We go to a Protestant church so we do not take communion every Sunday. I never know ahead of time when we will have it (usually once/month). Maybe it is time for me to speak up on my behalf as well as others. I've never liked being "different" so my tendancy is to avoid rather than speak up.

Do speak to your pastor about it. You may be surprised at how easy it is to be accomodated. And you probably don't need to let everyone in the church know either. We also do not have communion every week (I think they do it once a quarter and on holidays only) and there is no announcement in the bulletin that it is coming up. However, my pastor now sends me an e-mail the week before we are going to have it to let me know to bring my gluten free bread.

George Knighton Apprentice
George Knighton
Posted

I'm going to church and to a restaurant afterwards. Some of my family members aren't aware of my celiac disease. I guess I'll just eat vegetables.

brendygirl Community Regular
brendygirl
Posted

Most churches I've been to (we are military and move a lot) offer the option to just cross your arms and receive a blessing, so that's what I've done for the last five years, since I've been dx.

However, we saw in small print in the program at Christmas at George Washington's church in VA, that you can ask for gluten-free wafer once you go up, so I was happily surprised, and I did.

I was MORTIFIED when the guy handed me a wafer (with the same hand he'd given everyone else's wafer) from the same container as the other ones, and they were all touching.

AND they don't offer the individual wine cups, but the COMMUNITY CUP, which all the bread people drink from.

I WISH they individually packaged the gluten-free wafers, with wrappers saying do not unwrap, must not be handled before eating, or something.

(cc is a real concern with the cup, I know--I got glutened awhile ago from kissing someone who hadn't told me he'd been drinking beer after he brushed his teeth.)

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