The little things
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that I am on a gluten-free diet. This is because I’m Coeliac (or Celiac for American readers). This causes difficulties in all sorts of ways, but one of the most painful can be when taking communion. It’s easier in an Anglican church where wafers are commonly used, and much easier in my own church where they know me, and (usually!) have one ready for me. It’s particularly difficult when real bread is being used – especially in the years at Greenbelt where they used to balance a floury roll on top of the cup of wine to make distributing many many such cups to the many thousand-strong “congregation” – so that would be no elements for me then. It all goes to make “We who are many are one body for we all share in the one bread” quite painful – especially when, as one friend did, someone turns round and says “Except you!”
So this morning, when we went to St Albans Abbey it was a really big deal to discover that in the service sheet, along with the invitation to come up for Communion even if it wasn’t your church, the advice that “If you require a gluten-free wafer, please ask for one at the altar rail.” So I did, and they had one, right there – with absolutely no fuss and bother.
eleven comments:
How nice. I’m not celiac, but do have numerous food allergies. It’s a real challenge going out to eat to a restaurant or dinner party. It’s nice to find an accomodation.Kat () (link) - 10 December '06 - 21:17
Truly part of the flock, as it should be.Louise () - 10 December '06 - 21:42
How wonderful. I mean, it should always be so, but, wonderful all the same.p.s. We’re a stone’s throw from St Albans – I wander round he abbey lots mid-week. Never attended a service there though!
Big Ruth () (link) - 11 December '06 - 14:11
That’s wonderful!!Chris () (link) - 11 December '06 - 15:22
And if that doesn’t make you feel welcome in that church I don’t know what would. Lovely.kmkat () (link) - 11 December '06 - 18:02
Wow – that’s one I wouldn’t have thought of – an additional complication in the whole communion minefield! Glad some churches have sorted themselves out!Liz () (link) - 11 December '06 - 21:47
Yay for St Albans – sounds like they’ve got things sorted there!Daisy () (link) - 12 December '06 - 13:32
That’s a lovely thing for the church to do! It’s nice that they not only acknowledge that there are some things not everyone can eat but do something about it. Offering non alcoholic wine has become standard too, thankfully.Carrie K () (link) - 13 December '06 - 20:52
That is a very good idea. I guess most churches don’t really think about it until someone says something.I’m glad you were able to feel good about taking communion.
Dorothy B () (link) - 17 December '06 - 19:06
Very, very nice. My church has an allergen-free communion table, which is nice.And HI!
Kirsten () (link) - 20 December '06 - 23:12
Oh, that’s great! Although I wonder why they don’t make them all that way… are they more expensive?Kat with a K () (link) - 21 December '06 - 16:25
