On Sunday, October 14th, we will be celebrating World Communion Sunday.   It is a time when many different denominations recognize both the unity and the diversity they share in Christ Jesus.  People from across faith communities stop to reflect on Christ’s Body – not only in a local congregation, but across the globe. 

In 1910, it is estimated that most of the Christians in the world were found in Europe, the land of many of our ancestors, and in North America.  Today, in 2018, the Church looks much different.  By God’s grace, we are truly a global church.  Only 26% of Christians now live in European countries, while in the Americas (north and south), 37% of Christians reside.   There are now almost 1 in 4 Christians in Africa, and another 1/8 are found in Asia and the Pacific. Today, we sing hymns written in Spanish, Swahili, Chinese and English.  

In the United Church of Christ, our ‘motto’ is from John’s Gospel – ‘that they may all be one.’  And at Christ’s Table, we are one.  There is no Gentile or Jew, slave or free, male or female, but all are one in Christ, writes Paul to the church in Galatia.  

This year, as a way to represent the diversity of people that make up our faith, we will be using breads from many different cultures.  We hope that you will come and be a part of this celebration, and the foretaste of God’s realm as it emerges around the world!