Methodists and the Eucharist

[Catholic4Jesus]

Hi, I’d like to hear from some of you Methodist borthers and sisters out there. I am Catholic but have grandparents who are Methodist, I went to one of their Church services (just in attendance watching) and they occasionally will do communion (not everyday like Catholics). The minister was elevating the bread and cup saying “This Is My Body” and “This Is My Blood” just like what happens at a consecration at a Catholic Mass. And when communion was distributed, the minister would take the bread and dip it into the grape juice (that’s what was used) and distribute it to the faithful. I never really heard much of their point of view on the Eucharist. But do Methodists believe in Trasubstatiation like Catholics do? I’m curious. In my opinion, after going to their Church quite a few times, I have come to notice that there are MANY striking resemblances between the Methodists and the Catholic Church.

 

[Indifferently]

It’s strange they don’t do it often any more. One of the reasons for the Methodist movement in the first place was that Wesley was frustrated that the Church of England did not generally celebrate every Sunday. Wesley himself used the Prayer Book.

 

[bzkoss236]

I believe most, if not all, Methodists view the Eucharist as symbolic.

 

[JonNC]

I believe most, if not all, Methodists view the Eucharist as symbolic.

And my sense is that they are more of a mixed bag about the RP, though I would expect very few to confess Transubstabtiation.

Jon

 

[Kmfioc]

From UMC website:

United Methodists, along with other Christian traditions, have tried to provide clear and faithful interpretations of Christ’s presence in the Holy Meal. Our tradition asserts the real, personal, living presence of Jesus Christ. For United Methodists, the Lord’s Supper is anchored in the life of the historical Jesus of Nazareth, but is not primarily a remembrance or memorial. We do not embrace the medieval doctrine of transubstantiation, though we do believe that the elements are essential tangible means through which God works. We understand the divine presence in temporal and relational terms. In the Holy Meal of the church, the past, present, and future of the living Christ come together by the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may receive and embody Jesus Christ as God’s saving gift for the whole world."

Although, if you polled 10 Methodist, you would probably get 6 different answers.

I have come to notice that there are MANY striking resemblances between the Methodists and the Catholic Church.

THere are many similarities. But take someone like myself who has spent a good majority of my life in the Methodist church and put me in a Catholic Mass and it will seem like a whole different world. At the church i was attending we had communion available every sunday, but it was not a part of the main service, it is held in the chapel after the service is complete. This is one of the many things that has attracted me towards the Catholic Church.