Northern Crofter
Puritan Board Sophomore
This past Lord's Day, our minister mentioned toward the end of his annual verbal report to the congregation that the session was considering switching to communion trays that hold both cups and bread to distribute both elements at once - something like this I think:
I wasn't aware such a thing existed until I googled "communion trays that hold both cups and bread." It was just a passing comment in his report with no explanation and caused quite a few puzzled looks to be exchanged amongst us sitting there. There was some quiet discussion afterward but I don't think anyone approached the pastor about it. I don't think any of us had heard of such a thing. Does anyone have any experience with this type of practice? The few people I discussed it with after the meeting seemed uncomfortable about it, as was I. It will definitely be brought up with the pastor/session but I think everyone was taken back by the idea as it is unfamiliar to all of us - I would like to hear thoughts from PB folk as I try to figure out what I think about this and how to best communicate my thoughts to the session. My initial reaction is "I don't like it" as it seems in my mind to stray further from the original institution (I remain a common cup advocate). But is it really wrong? For example, note the wording of WCF 29.3 (emphasis mine): "The Lord Jesus, hath, in this ordinance, appointed His ministers to declare His word of institution to the people; to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants...." (see also LC 169: "...to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants...."). Again, this will be discussed with the session - just looking for information prior to doing so from anyone familiar with this practice and any existing objections or support for it.
I wasn't aware such a thing existed until I googled "communion trays that hold both cups and bread." It was just a passing comment in his report with no explanation and caused quite a few puzzled looks to be exchanged amongst us sitting there. There was some quiet discussion afterward but I don't think anyone approached the pastor about it. I don't think any of us had heard of such a thing. Does anyone have any experience with this type of practice? The few people I discussed it with after the meeting seemed uncomfortable about it, as was I. It will definitely be brought up with the pastor/session but I think everyone was taken back by the idea as it is unfamiliar to all of us - I would like to hear thoughts from PB folk as I try to figure out what I think about this and how to best communicate my thoughts to the session. My initial reaction is "I don't like it" as it seems in my mind to stray further from the original institution (I remain a common cup advocate). But is it really wrong? For example, note the wording of WCF 29.3 (emphasis mine): "The Lord Jesus, hath, in this ordinance, appointed His ministers to declare His word of institution to the people; to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants...." (see also LC 169: "...to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants...."). Again, this will be discussed with the session - just looking for information prior to doing so from anyone familiar with this practice and any existing objections or support for it.