As a Christian community, called to peacemaking and reconciliation, we affirm that people of any race, ethnic identity, gender, who are gay or straight, of any ability, age, or economic status, are welcome to full participation in our congregation.
by Jackie ParkerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series. One Sunday, during the sharing portion of our worship, I revealed I was having a hard time—that the pandemic, fear for people’s health, and physical distancing were taking a toll—and with no end in sight, I was starting to feel […]
By David and Rosene Rohrer, with photo by Karin Shank Having learned from each other about the variety of ways communion is celebrated around the world, we easily adjusted to observing this important practice from our homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020. One Sunday for our virtual service (via Zoom) we each chose […]
Sojourners recently published an article, “Fasting from Food Waste in a Season of Hoarding,” that features a core group from Raleigh Mennonite Church who have made a commitment this Lenten season to reduce food waste as a spiritual practice. Little did the group know when Lent started that this season would land us in the […]
by David Rohrer Throughout history communion has been wrought with conflict. Heated debate focused on: Who can participate? Who can officiate? What’s required to prepare for communion? What elements are used? What process occurs in those who partake? Is Christ in the host (bread) or only there with his “real presence?” Is communion necessary for […]
by David Rohrer Below are highlights from my reading of Laurel Marshall’s masters thesis regarding the practice of communion and baptism in Christian base communities in El Salvador: The role of liberation theology in informing communion and baptism. The emphasis on sharing and inclusiveness in practicing the communion. Caring for one another as being a way […]
by Shannon Hess Our short time in El Salvador left me with a lot to process and a lot to reflect on, much of which I haven’t even tried to begin to put into words. I can’t honestly say that I really put much thought into Communion before our congregation started asking questions and making […]
by Belissa Acosta My main takeaway from going to El Salvador is the radical hospitality that the members of the base communities showed us. The way they opened up their homes to us and shared what they had made me realize a few things about my own goals in life. For the past couple months, […]
by Jackie Parker So much to say about El Salvador, it’s hard to know where to begin. My heart is filled with the beauty and generosity of spirit of everyone we met and with the sheer horror of the tragedies that have taken place in their country. Our delegation was so warmly welcomed by each […]
by Zinith BarbeeA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.January 21, 2020 The table is an image that is integral to hospitality. It is the critical prop in “the greatest story ever told.” In our services, it reflects the meaning of the Last Supper. Hospitality at the table is a […]
Photos from visit to Christian base communities in El Salvador the week of Thanksgiving 2019 are posted on a separate site.
by Lois BeckA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.January 8, 2020 Our pastor invites us to communion: “This isn’t the table of the Mennonite Church; it isn’t Raleigh Mennonite’s table. It is Jesus’ table, and he invites all of us.” The piece of bread and a sip from the […]
Leah’s perspective on her involvement with Food for Thought: “Food for Thought is where Trader Joe’s gets rid of all the food it cannot sell. And we give it away to people. I like being a part of it because it gets me out of the house. My whole family is a part of it. […]
by Al RebergA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.November 16, 2019 The Communion Liturgy at Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church is read from the Book of Common Prayer or recited from memory. Two people bring the bread and wine down the center Aisle and gives them to the Torch Bearer […]
by David RohrerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.November 11, 2019 Last summer on two consecutive Sundays, Hans, Ann, Rosene and David celebrated communion with our brothers and sisters at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Oaxaca, Mexico. The service was conducted in English. The church has no assigned priest; rather it […]
We shared a wonderful meal with our Muslim and Jewish neighbors and drew insights from the rich table practices of these traditions.
This was the official kick-off retreat for our year’s study of table fellowship and communion practices at RMC. We looked at some ways God called God’s people to table fellowship and reflected on the ways we’ve experienced table fellowship and communion in the past and the present.
August 24, 2019Folks brought side dishes to share and we enjoyed locally-sourced, sustainably-raised pork. It was cooked in a smoker all day long with the help of one of our member’s dads who came in from western NC to help out. The weather was a bit wet, so we ate inside.
by David RohrerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.August 24, 2019 Rosene and I joined our Maronite friends today for a Taste of Lebanon, the first community festival given by Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church. After purchasing our za’atar pie, hummus, kibbeh, kofta, grape leaves, etc., we spoke to […]
by David RohrerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series.August 18, 2019 Also see related: El Salvador Impressions – a photo blog of the team’s trip Today, following our time of worship at Raleigh Mennonite Church (RMC), Laurel Marshall shared from her experience with Salvadoran Christian base communities, abbreviated CEBs (communidades […]
by David RohrerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series. This summer’s RMC worship retreat began with the hymn “What is this place where we are meeting,” reminding us that “we are each other’s bread and wine.” Melissa then read all three Gospel accounts* of the last supper, interspersed with art […]
by Melissa Florer-BixlerA blog entry in response to our “A Year at the Table” series. It seemed fitting to me that we began our year of exploration and reflection on Communion practice in grace. Babette’s Feast, the first in our film series featuring movies about food and faith, is a story about grace received in […]
Raleigh Mennonite concluded a year-long exploration, celebration, and discernment of our practice of Lord’s Supper, our relationship to food systems, and our community formed around meals. Blog posts related to “A Year at the Table” Pie-it-Forward Communion during the COVID-19 Pandemic Fasting from Food Waste – Article in Sojourners Communion “Pop-up Seminary” Weekend Communion and […]
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