Methodist Wedding & Communion?

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I need advice FAST…
My whole family is Methodist. I converted in 2000. For the most part they are “ok” with me being Catholic. But it’s about to get touchy, I am afraid.

My sister is getting married in three weeks. I am her Maid of Honor and only attendant. It’s a small wedding. I have no problem standing in her wedding, I am actually quite honored she asked me as we are not always that close. Here’s the problem…

I just found out they will serve communion during the wedding service. Now I think I am not supposed to have communion at a Methodist church. But it’s going to be VERY ackward for me to tell her I can’t. And it will look odd with me up front refusing communion.

If I know it is not the Real Presence, can I take the bread at another church just symboliclly? I mean, I know it’s not Jesus’s body. But can I take it just AS bread and not as communnion?

Thank you very much for your help.
🙂 Lilder
 
I’m no canon lawyer but everywhere I have ever turned for orthodox teaching, I have been told that I am not to receive communion at any other denomination.

It’s going to be difficult, but you are going to need to find some way to get through this. I would tell your sister as soon as possible before the wedding and then make sure you tell the minister at the church (off to the side away from people of course) that you will not be taking communion.

Stay firm and loving. My prayers are with you.

keith
 
Don’t receive communion. I don’t think anybody should be offended by this- you can do it without making a scene. Just tell the minister ahead of time and sit down while everyone is receiving. Let your sister know, and tell her that it’s not an insult to her, but you won’t be receiving. I don’t see any reason why she’d get mad.
 
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lilder:
I need advice FAST…
My whole family is Methodist. I converted in 2000. For the most part they are “ok” with me being Catholic. But it’s about to get touchy, I am afraid.

My sister is getting married in three weeks. I am her Maid of Honor and only attendant. It’s a small wedding. I have no problem standing in her wedding, I am actually quite honored she asked me as we are not always that close. Here’s the problem…

I just found out they will serve communion during the wedding service. Now I think I am not supposed to have communion at a Methodist church. But it’s going to be VERY ackward for me to tell her I can’t. And it will look odd with me up front refusing communion.

If I know it is not the Real Presence, can I take the bread at another church just symboliclly? I mean, I know it’s not Jesus’s body. But can I take it just AS bread and not as communnion?

Thank you very much for your help.
🙂 Lilder
Click to expand...
No, you cannot take communion in a Methodist church. Just tell the pastor ahead of time and work out something. It may be awkward but it’s the right thing to do. I am a convert too, and I feel your pain. My dad gave me grief b/c I wouldn’t go up for communion at my aunt’s Episcopal wedding. Well, they’re over it… no big deal now.
 
Actually, the others have given you good advice. Just tell you sister and her minister that as a Catholic, you will be unable to receive communion. The minister will certainly understand this, and you sister has a lot of other things to worry about right now! If she is upset, she will surely get over it in time, or maybe right away…People tend to “forget” things that they once thought were so important…and wonder why they were upeset in the first place.

Enjoy the wedding!
 
You might ask the minister if he will give you a blessing instead of communion. That is what we used to do when my wife was Music Director at an Episcopalian Church.
 
I used to be Methodist too. I just converted this past April. It just so happens that the day after I got confirmed into the Catholic Church, I went home to my mom’s church (Methodist) for the Easter Service. I went because it means a lot to my mom that I go, plus I am still very close with my church family there. Before I went I asked my priest if it was okay that I received communion at the Methodist Church, he explained to me why is was not okay, and that I should abstain. I decided to go by my instincts and almost took communion there, but the minister kept stressing that is was only a symbol, so I decided not to take it after all. I was the only one in the church who did not take it, and I know people noticed. However, I did not mind since I knew the truth about the Eucharist.
 
Well, I told her. 😦 It didn’t go well. She has decided to not have communion served at all. Turns out, the Best Man wasn’t going to be able to receive either. But now her feelings are hurt.

Thanks so much for all of the advice and support. It really helped in a very difficult moment.

Blessing to you all!!

🙂 Lilder
 
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lilder:
Well, I told her. 😦 It didn’t go well. She has decided to not have communion served at all. Turns out, the Best Man wasn’t going to be able to receive either. But now her feelings are hurt.

Thanks so much for all of the advice and support. It really helped in a very difficult moment.

Blessing to you all!!

🙂 Lilder
Click to expand...
I bet after she sits and thinks about it, she’ll understand and eventually get over it.

You did the right thing, and I commend you for standing up for what you believe in. 👍
 
<<<I was the only one in the church who did not take it, and I know people noticed. However, I did not mind since I knew the truth about the Eucharist.>>>

**Good for you…The same thing happens to me every time I attend church with my husband. I am well known in that church, so I know it is noticed that I refuse communion…They have it every Sunday…But, I do it anyway, because I understand the truth about the Eucharist, just as you do. You will find that the people at your old church will respect you for your choice. It’s the right thing to do:yup: **
 
Less than 6 months ago there was an instruction about this reiterating that we should not receive in a Protestant church. Are you sure it would be such a sticky situation? I had been a guest at several Methodist services and no one seemed to notice when I did not receive their communion. I will compliment the Methodists by saying that in my experience they were a warm and talkative bunch who did not seem to take offense at much!🙂
 
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