Sacraments
Disclaimer: this is about a personal struggle of mine. It's totally okay if not everyone relates. I know not everybody believes in the sacraments and I respect that, but these are my personal feelings.
Because of my personal experiences, I am currently not participating in any church. I have spent a long time thinking about God and trying to feel his presence. Several months ago, I started to pray and take that very seriously. But it's taken me so long to heal my relationship to spirituality after originally leaving my church nearly ten years ago, that I'm scared of joining another community and having it shattered again.
However, I believe in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and I would like to receive it at some point. I don't know if returning to the church in order to participate in the Eucharist would be worth it or even right.
If anyone has related thoughts or personal experiences, I'd love to hear them ✨
@rhodawoolf it seems like you have mixed feelings and I hope you find a resolution.
Just to clarify, I think of the Eucharist as a part of the Catholic Church regarding Communion. Is this the part of Christianity you are talking about? That might help you get more replies. Have you considered asking the priest at the local church you might want to attend?
Hope you get the support you are looking for.
Thank you @soulsings
I was originally raised Catholic, yes. But I believe the Anglican and Orthodox churches also believe in the sacrament of the Eucharist (if anyone knows better, pls correct me on that!) I'd be interested in their practice too, as I think my core beliefs match the ones held by these denominations.
What takes me aback is that no Church or denomination is a perfect fit for me, and I'm afraid that becoming involved in the community might cause me doubt or frustration
@rhodawoolf I have family in various denominations, and who is welcome varies. In one, it's been clearly stated all are welcome - so if a child is old enough to physically take part, even if they need some help they may , any religion, etc. I know in the Catholic church this isn't the case.
Sometimes information can easily be found on a church website who is welcome, other times the best way to find out is to ask someone.
I have found myself in the awkward position before of being in a different city, invited to come along and then sitting in a service clueless as to the background wondering about the rules. I decided I was invited, so I participated. I figured if it was disrespectful to that group no one was probably even going to be aware unless I was asked questions about my faith and religious background afterwards.
Thank you for your thoughts @AffyAvo !
That's lovely that you've been able to experience different versions of faith. And you're right, I'm sure whoever invited you was happy to see you participate in their rites!
Maybe because of my background in Catholicism, I feel a little uncomfortable about taking what I consider a sacrament from a source I'm not completely at peace with. I'm partly afraid that doing this will numb the special connection I feel to God.
On a more practical level, I'm worried that if I go to a church in my area I'll have to fully join in the community life. If I were in a different city or area, I might feel more comfortable asking if I could partake. Maybe that's the answer and I should ease into it. But I'd have to speak to the priest first, if I am to feel reassured about my first worry
@rhodawoolf I am with you. I have been outright abused in the Catholic Church. The last church I joined they chose to believe malicious gossip told about me instead of the truth and so I am likely done with church for all time.
But I still love Jesus He is My oxygen. Relate to you very much!
@RogueOne1983 I am so sorry you had to go through that! Sending you love and light 🙏
Thank you for supporting my journey too! It's an inspiration to hear how close you are to your faith without the need for the church!
I often wish I could experience the eucharist again, especially because my last time, in my original church, is not a fond memory. But I know that even if I never participate in church or in the sacrament, I will always find a way to connect with God and Christ
@rhodawoolf yep that is exactly what I did the churches in my particular small community sadly are a hindrance to faith not a help.
Be at peace do what you need to God understands.
Hello @rhodawoolf
I am not sure whether you will be reading this since your original post was written earlier this month.
It seems to me that you still prefer to remain in the church that you have fellowship with
and to remain in your Roman Catholic faith?
The next options that you would consider would be either Eastern Orthodox or Anglican?
But one of your main concerns is the ability to participate in the Eucharist that you understood
not merely in any Holy Communion of other different denominations?
And you were probably concerned with starting fresh with another new church
if you need to switch.
Hope I did not miss anything that you shared.
The Eucharist may seem similar to many non-Christians but
the two have differences in terms of Theology.
Roman Catholicism believes that
the elements of bread and wine are wholly changed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ,
while the appearances of the bread and wine remain. The term is Transubstantiation.
The Lutherans have a slight variation in their Theology;
they believe that the bread and wine remain fully bread and fully wine
while also being truly the body and blood of Christ Jesus. This is called Consubstantiation.
The fundamental and independent churches including other denominations
believe differently compared to the two mentioned above.
They considered the Lord's Supper (aka Holy Communion) as an ordinance.
It is an observance for believers in the body of Christ as instructed in
1 Corinthians 11:23-29 see also Luke 22:19-20
The focus is "in remembrance of Me".
Another difference is many of these churches do not necessarily use wine but grape juice.
One of the issues that you probably need to be aware of
if you decide to join a different church,
some churches are closed communion and
may require the new candidate to be re-baptised
before being admitted into the church as a member.
I hope the info stated above is useful for your reference.
Hi @AnalystINTJ
Thank you for your insights! It was very useful to read your explanation of Lutheran doctrine, as I'm really not familiar with this denomination.
The beliefs I grew up with that I have not left behind are an understanding of the sacraments as a channel for God's grace and a feeling that the Eucharist specifically establishes a substantial link between our material and spiritual substenance. The reason I considered Eastern Orthodox Christianity is because, from what I gather, these beliefs would be acceptable within the Orthodox interpretation of the mysteries of the Eucharist. For Anglicanism, I understand that some branches of it also believe in these ideas.
I wouldn't mind being re-baptised and would actually welcome it, if I were positive about the church I joined. But I wouldn't want to be part of a community that I feel makes harmful comments or decisions, which was the case with the specific Catholic community I used to be part of.
Thank you again for your reply, I loved learning these new facts and will surely read about consubstantiation
Hello @rhodawoolf :)
I am glad you find the info is useful &
it is my pleasure to share and assist.
So no worries :)
Whether you choose to remain in the Roman Catholic faith or
you decide to join Eastern Orthodox or the Anglican church,
It will not be an easy decision to make within a short period of time,
so do take the time to join their fellowship whenever you can as a guest
and take time to observe their traditions and practices.
It took me a while to visit some different churches to make a decision as well. :)
Wish you a smooth spiritual journey in joining a church & begin fellowship. :)
@rhodawoolf
hey u know what if Eucharist meant the bread and the wine, you can always take it when you need it. our church believes in breaking bread and taking wine everytime we meet each other or if there is any illnesses in your body. the bread and wine simply represents jesus' sacrifice on the cross for us to give us healing in our body and in removing the sins we committed. you can always remember jesus everytime u eat and the bread is a symbolic representation which u can also use biscuit. you can take a red juice to remember jesus' blood on the cross too.
