Letters

 Holy Communion at 09:30 Service

 
Holy Communion is our central act of worship. Through it we retell the story of Jesus’ death and celebrate the forgiveness of sins. As we share in the body and blood we are united with Jesus and with one another.
 
At DMC we are committed to sharing this “family meal” with all our children. At the 09:30 service our Sunday School join us. I know that many children and their parents eagerly look forward to this event.
 
DMC is a growing church with a vibrant Sunday School and sometimes we have over 300 people receiving the sacraments at the 09:30 service. Our aim is to facilitate a meaningful encounter with God that is holy and joyful. However, this is logistically challenging given the number of people, the design of the church and time limitations.
 
On Sunday 6th May we were short of servers and in an effort to maintain the flow of the service I made the mistake of suggesting a method of receiving the sacraments that we at DMC are not familiar with. (This system is frequently used at Methodist Churches across the Connexion but has not been practiced at DMC). The result was that we all ended up rather confused and flustered. I apologise for this error and would like to take this opportunity to explain how we intend to celebrate Holy Communion at the 09:30 service in the future.
 
Plan for sharing the sacraments at 09:30 service:
10:20 Song is announced.
Sunday School gather in the hall.
Parents collect their children from the hall and return with them to their pews.
10:25 Sunday School teachers lead remaining children into the church and seat them on the floor (and front pews if space allows).
10:30 Sharing of the Peace, unveiling of Sacrament, proceed with Liturgy.
10:35 Sunday School children and teachers receive elements first (they may remain in the church)
            Care room follows.
Congregation are ushered forward – they proceed down the two side aisles and return along the central aisle.
(We will kneel at the altar)
 
We will monitor this procedure and make modification where necessary.
 
I thank you for the grace and patience you have shown and ask you to join me in praying that DMC will become more and more a community of faith where God is glorified in all we do. 
 
God Bless,
 
Rev. Sean McGuigan