iadt3tb%prism@gatech.edu (T. Terrell Banks) (02/05/90)
}> Someone writes: }>[Please don't get the impression that all churches that serve grape }>juice at communion consider alcohol evil. Many of us do it out of }>respect for the alcoholics in our midst, who cannot use alcohol }>safely. ... } Someone else writes: } My home church in Maryland is Lutheran (LCMS) and they serve so called } none alcoholic wine, which in fact is .0016 percent wine (since LCMS } requires wine to be served at Holy Eucharist). } ... but even } then the church requires wine to be served. I can only speak as a licensed Lay Eucharist Minister (new title for one authorized to serve the wine to those receiving communion) in the Episcopal church. I sometimes encounter a person who wishes not to receive the cup of wine. This is perfectly OK. Communion can be com- pletely accomplished by receiving one of the two elements (bread or wine). Is the tradition different in other denominations or understood in a different manner? Peace, Terry -- T. Terrell Banks uucp: { 'insert a backbone name here' }!gatech!prism!iadt3tb Georgia Insitute of Technology - I.S.A. Internet: iadt3tb@prism.gatech.edu 190 Third Street NW Bitnet : iadt3tb@gitvm1 Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0185 [The Reformers felt quite strongly about giving the people both the bread and the cup. I'd be surprised if anyone in the Reformed tradition would suggest that someone take only one. Protestant churches emphasize the fact that Communion was instituted by Christ, and attempt to carry it out as he instituted it. Since he instituted both the bread and the cup, that's what we do. I don't know that the sky would fall if somebody took only one. But I think we'd prefer to use 0 proof wine rather than have someone take bread only. --clh]