Emmanuel has various communion services

Winkler, Man.

Communion at Emmanuel Mennonite Church here is a sacred event celebrated eight or nine times a year.

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Every Maundy Thursday, just before Good Friday, the church holds a love feast. The evening begins with a meal of soup and bread, followed by the story of Jesus' betrayal and the last supper. Seated around tables, members break bread for one other and share grape juice.

The story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet in John 13 leads to an invitation for members to demonstrate their willingness to serve one another, and accept service, by participating in footwashing or hand washing.

A rugged cross is a focal point.

"People are invited to pray at the cross," said Marvin Koop, pastor. "There is continual movement to the cross. We try to connect our Lenten theme to the service. One year we had a broken pot and the pieces were placed on each table. People brought these pieces to the cross as symbols of their brokenness."

Another occasion when communion is celebrated is in midsummer, when the church family is more scattered.

"In a time when we're all going different ways it serves to draw us together," said Koop.

Emmanuel Mennonite also brings in the new year with a communion service.

In addition, Easter Sunday, World Communion Sunday in October, and the first Sunday of Advent are always celebrated with communion. Every baptism service includes a communion celebration.

"In 2002 we had four or five baptism services, but usually there aren't more than two," said Koop. Emmanuel Mennonite has two worship services every Sunday to accommodate a membership of over 200.

Koop recalled that when he came nine years ago, communion services were sometimes held Sunday evenings. Attendance, however, was low and now communion is part of morning worship, except for Maundy Thursday.

"At our communion services...all who are baptized are invited to partake," he said. "We begin with an explanation of what communion means, have a prayer of confession and then pass the peace of Christ."

Sometimes the two pastors and lay minister invite participants to come to the front in small groups to receive the communion elements and a blessing. Other times the deacons serve the elements to members in the pews.

"Sometimes, especially at our Easter Sunday communion service, we have a more celebratory communion," said Koop. "We have a banquet-type of display with special fruits. We have a large communion banner which we display at all communion services."