GUIDELINE STATEMENT

The apostle Paul records the command of Jesus on the occasion of the Last Supper: "The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you, do this in remembrance of me". In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, "this cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11: 23-25)

In the fourth gospel Jesus refers to himself as the Bread of Life: "I am the bread of life.He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)

The words of Christ encourage us to cherish and value the Eucharist/ Lord's Supper. As Christians from different Christian traditions, Roman Catholic and Protestant, we are thankful for the wide embracing love of Christ, proclaimed and received in the celebration of the Eucharist. We acknowledge the differences that exist in theological interpretation and liturgical practice and request respect for these differences, evident for example, in the Eucharistic discipline of the Roman Catholic Church.

However we firmly believe that the joy of being present at the Eucharistic worship of another Christian tradition is greater than the pain experienced by observing this Eucharistic discipline. Thereby we hope that we will contribute to bringing nearer the day on which we may share in a common Eucharist.

Why are we doing this?
To surrender ourselves together to the Lord's will as we share his prayer " Father, may they all be one."
To experience together the realisation that Christ is present among us in our various Christian Churches.
To be edified, inspired, encouraged by one another's faith in the sacrament of Holy Communion/ Eucharist.
To anticipate in so far as we can the common Holy Communion/ Eucharist we yearn for.

(This guideline statment is the work of an interchruch group of clergy who, in the spirit of of Fr Jean M. Tillard's prayer, have come together "in one and the same faith and love" in the hope of bringing nearer "the day on which we may share in a common Eucharist". The statement was agreed with Most Rev. Anthony Farquhar, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor).

The Clergy promoting this initiative are:
Rev.Dennis Cooke (Methodist Church)
Rev. David Cooper (Methodist Church)
Rev. Ken Smyth (Church of Ireland)
Rev. Jim Campbell (Presbyterian Church)
Fr Gerry Reynolds C.Ss.R (Catholic Church)
Fr Daniel Whyte (Catholic Church)

We have informed the Churches-sometimes individuals within the churches-of the venture and have been encouraged by their interest and support. In some instances the response was one of quiet acceptance.

The next celebration, a church of Ireland Holy Communion, will be in St Dorothea's, Gilnahirk, Belfast on Thursday, 29th September, 2011 at 8.00pm.

All are welcome

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