October 2nd, 2026 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Beloved Friends,

               What’s the most unusual way you have taken communion? Perhaps you were in a distinct place. Maybe you had a very memorable experience. The elements might have been something different than what you expected. I once took communion in Guatemala where the body of Christ was a tortilla, and the blood of Christ was grape soda. And we used those elements because that is what was readily available to us in that context.

As good United Methodists, we would expect nothing short of Welch’s grape juice (though any grape juice is just fine!) and a nice, tear-able loaf of bread. Even still, if all we have in our pack is a box of crackers and a cup of juice, the Spirit works through these elements.

This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. We will celebrate Holy Communion in all three services, and we will be reminded that we are a part of Christ’s holy Church, in union with one another, throughout the whole world. As we come to the Lord’s Table, so do millions of other Christians worshiping that day in dozens of time zones, in humble churches, cloistered in monasteries, in the masses of megachurches, and in the huddles of hushed worship done in secret. We come to the Table knowing that we are one in Christ. What a humbling reminder.

     This week also begins our annual focus on stewardship. For the month of October, we will be focused on covenant, specifically what it means to live in covenant with God and with each other. We hope you’ll worship with us weekly to hear how we can live in covenant together through our time, talents, gifts, service and prayers.

With grace and peace,

Pastor Rachel