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UM's and Holy Communion

The United Methodist Church recognizes two sacraments, baptism and communion. These two acts have a special place in the church because Jesus commanded them and participated in them. Through the years, Christians have used other sacramental acts to draw closer to God. While we do not recognize these others as sacraments, we participate in many of them.

The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, and the Eucharist are all names for this sacrament celebrated by United Methodists. Each of these names highlights an aspect of this act of worship.

According to This Holy Mystery, The United Methodist Church’s official document on communion, “The Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus Christ is the host and that we participate at Christ’s invitation.… The term Holy Communion invites us to focus on the selfgiving of the Holy God which makes the sacrament an occasion of grace, and on the holiness of our communion with God and one another.… Eucharist, from the  Greek word for thanksgiving, reminds us that the sacrament is thanksgiving to God for the gifts of creation and salvation.”

Who can assist the pastor in communion?

Communion is one of the responsibilities and duties of a pastor. The pastor may "train deacons and lay members to serve the consecrated communion elements.” During worship "lay persons as well as other clergy may assist the pastor in giving the bread and cup.”

This Holy Mystery explains, "The Communion elements are consecrated and consumed in the context of the gathered congregation. The Table may be extended, in a timely manner, to include those unable to attend because of age, illness, or similar conditions. Laypeople may distribute the consecrated elements in the congregation and extend them to members who are unavoidably absent…."

Do United Methodists believe the communion elements actually become the body and blood of Christ?

This Holy Mystery says, “The Christian church has struggled through the centuries to understand just how Christ is present in the Eucharist. Arguments and divisions have occurred over the matter. The Wesleyan tradition affirms the reality of Christ's presence, although it does not claim to be able to explain it fully.… Our tradition asserts the real, personal, living presence of Jesus Christ. For United Methodists, the Lord's Supper is anchored in the life of the historical Jesus of Nazareth, but is not primarily a remembrance or memorial. We do not embrace the medieval doctrine of transubstantiation, though we do believe that the elements are essential tangible means through which God works. We understand the divine presence in temporal and relational terms.”

Why do we serve grape juice instead of wine for Holy Communion?

In the history of the church, wine has been the normal drink. In the 19th century, Methodists and other denominations were persuaded that unfermented juice was an important witness to the grace of God and of the churches’ resistance to the abuses of alcohol. The United Methodist Book of Worship explains, "Although the historic and ecumenical Christian practice has been to use wine, the use of unfermented grape juice by The United Methodist Church and its predecessors since the late nineteenth century expresses pastoral concern for recovering alcoholics, enables the participation of children and youth, and supports the church's witness of abstinence.


Can children take communion?

In The United Methodist Church, children are welcome to receive communion. Our Book of Worship explains, "All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children, are invited to receive the bread and cup.”

May a person who has not been baptized participate in Holy Communion?

Yes, our church does not seek to close God's Table, although the historic and normal order of the sacraments is baptism first – as birth into the family – and communion following, as continuing nurture at the family table.