tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post4887738076538742656..comments2024-03-28T10:26:20.408-04:00Comments on Ponderings on a Faith Journey: The Lord’s Table: A Place of CommunityRobert Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-27785288441811020642010-09-10T10:01:15.945-04:002010-09-10T10:01:15.945-04:00Amy, thanks for the link. I'm enjoying readin...Amy, thanks for the link. I'm enjoying reading my copy and looking forward to the complete Bible.<br /><br />James, I appreciate your comments!<br /><br />Brian, I think you bring up several important points. I had this very conversation with Kimberly Knight, who leads a church in Second Life, an online faith community. I think that there are ways in which, even if we can't be in personal "flesh to flesh" contact we can be engaged in a personal relationship. I'll send a post to Kimberly to see if she'll respond!Robert Cornwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-28413158124704688232010-09-10T09:35:22.471-04:002010-09-10T09:35:22.471-04:00I'm glad you included shut-ins and people in h...I'm glad you included shut-ins and people in health care settings. They are still part of the larger community. <br /><br />I'll take a moment to highlight a group that often gets ignored. There are people who have disorders that make going to church next to impossible. They may have anxiety about crowds. Or they may be uncomfortable in a group that goes around hugging people (many people have been raped). <br /><br />When we talk about the importance of community, and the cliche that "there are no solo Christians", let us remember those in our community who must stay away. When they have the courage to reach out to us, let us not pressure them to conform to group expectations of church attendance. Let us be mindful that they already are actively engaged in the community to the best of their ability. <br /><br />Don't expect them to tell us they are facing these issues. Instead of assuming people who don't want to participate are part of the (cliche alert) "hyper-individualized American culture". Let us assume the best of people. <br /><br />We gather at the Table whether in the sanctuary, in a group home, in a nursing home, or in our own home with no physical human present. It is always communal. It cannot be otherwise. If Christ embraces all, then Christ embraces all. It is not conditional. <br /><br />I'm glad you included the often ignored, those who are not present physically. They are just as much a part of our community as those who are present physically.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18396901667077846319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-75920176311931754962010-09-10T00:59:42.249-04:002010-09-10T00:59:42.249-04:00Appreciate seeing the Common English Bible cited h...Appreciate seeing the Common English Bible cited here. The website http://www.commonenglishbible.com has a passage lookup tool if any of your readers are interested in seeing how other sections of scripture read (NT only so far). Also a link to buy the NT for just $5.amy wolgemuth bordonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00410284233556253108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-62974663593061185392010-09-09T16:40:54.790-04:002010-09-09T16:40:54.790-04:00Good article! As a "recovering Catholic"...Good article! As a "recovering Catholic" ;) who is now a catholic United Church of Christ pastor(intentional small "c"), I miss the mystical aspects of the thoughts of transubstantiation yet love the communal aspects of which you wrote. Having come from a large family that always ate together, the community of sitting at the table is a warm, welcoming and comforting thing. When I read the passage from Corinthians that you referenced, I am reminded that the table is to be equally shared with all who are present, that I am not to come so famished that I take the nourishment from the mouths of those who come also to partake, an easy thing to do when I am too focused on my own personal salvation without regard to the rest of creation. When ever two or three are gathered in my name...Jim Brehlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04989295113495372335noreply@blogger.com