This coming Sunday, the first Sunday in October, is being celebrated as World Communion Sunday around the world.
World Communion Sunday (originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) originated in the Presbyterian Church (USA). In 1936, for the first time, the first Sunday in October was celebrated in Presbyterian churches in the United States and overseas. From the beginning, it was planned so that other denominations could make use of it and, after a few years, the idea spread beyond the Presbyterian Church.
World Communion Sunday is now promoted in the USA by the PCUSA, United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ. It is observed widely in New Zealand, at least in the Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Congregational and Churches of Christ. Strangely enough, I haven’t met many people in Australia who connect with this opportunity to connect the eucharist with a sense of compassion shared with the church around the world.
Last time I celebrated this day with a congregation was at Twin Towns, Coolangatta/Tweed Heads, on the Gold Coast. We gathered together a variety of breads from around the world. We used the image here to help get a sense of the global impact of what Jesus did with a small group of disciples.
May others use this graphic? I am minstering with the United church in Cananda, and hope to use this graphic next Sunday with permission. Yours in Christ Alberta