Holy Communion breaks down barriers, clergy say
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Bishop Minerva Carcano |
May 4, 2005 By Deborah White* NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)--Holy Communion helps unify congregations with a diversity of language, culture, age and race. That’s
the conclusion of United Methodist clergy who discussed Holy Communion
practices in Korean, Hispanic and African-American congregations during a
conference April 26-28 in Nashville, Tenn. “Holy
Communion breaks the language barrier,” said the Rev. Hyuk Seonwoo,
pastor of Zion Korean United Methodist Church in Warwick, R.I. Seonwoo
conducts Holy Communion in two languages, he said, because there is a
gap between generations. Children and youth, who have a good command of
English, worship downstairs. But they join adults in the sanctuary for
Holy Communion. After
18 months of education about Holy Communion, the church began offering
it weekly in 2002. It was not easy in the beginning, Seonwoo said. At
first church members felt that weekly communion was less holy. But now,
he said, “People keep telling that they have a deep sense of reverence.” Holy
Communion transcends cultures as well as language, said Bishop Minerva
G. Carcaño of the Phoenix Area in an address at the conference. “The
culture that shapes our understanding of this holy sacrament is one that
transcends all cultures,” she said. “I also believe that sitting with
each other and sharing the good news imparted to us through the
sacrament of Holy Communion can do wonders for breaking down the hostile
walls of racism and division among us.”
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The Rev. Joseph Daniels |
Carcaño said she
is grateful for the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry that involves
the entire United Methodist denomination, but she is concerned that “we
are still not growing sufficient Hispanic leaders, lay and clergy, to
help lead and guide these very positive developments in ministry.” She
also expressed hope that conversations between United Methodists and
Roman Catholics will some day lead to sharing Holy Communion together.
“May it be so by God’s grace,” she said. The
Rev. Joseph Daniels, pastor of Emory United Methodist Church in
Washington said Holy Communion helps bring together people of many
different nationalities, ages and races in his predominantly black
congregation. “It’s at the table where all barriers are broken,” he
said. Since
moving to weekly communion last summer, Daniels said he has discovered
that the church “can use pieces from our various cultures and
incorporate them into our worship.” Playing a popular gospel song during
communion rather than a traditional hymn helped both older and younger
members relate to the service. “Music bridged the gap,” Daniels said. “There are creative things we can do to experience God in profound and powerful ways.” *White is associate editor of Interpreter Magazine and Interpreter OnLine. News media contact: Deborah White (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Korean News
