Mackensie's First Communion

When you are raised Catholic, receiving your first holy communion is both a big deal and a big event. You have to go to CCD for months, receive first penance, practice, get dressed in a white gown, and receive communion for the first time with the rest of your CCD class. That is how I did it. However, about 7 years ago, when I was pregnant with Mackensie, I was looking for a new church to go to. The one that clicked with me was Aldersgate Methodist Church, so we started going there. It didn't really matter to me that it wasn't Catholic. I figured as long as it was Christian, the point was the same. All Christian churches pray to the same God, and praising Jesus. That is good enough for me.

However, there are some differences. Methodist church is definitely more low key than Catholic church. Communion is only once a month, there is no confession, and anyone can take Communion as long as they believe. Sunday school takes place during church (during the school year, anyway), and there is no first communion ceremony. I've been thinking for a while that Mac is probably ready to receive communion. We pray every night and read the Bible almost every night. She recognizes the stories in Sunday school, and loves to go to church. It seems like a big step, but she is 6, which is the same age she would receive communion in Catholic church.

Today was the first communion Sunday since Sunday school ended a few weeks ago. Halfway through the service, when I realized this, I started to prep Mac for communion. "Remember the story of the last supper, when Jesus breaks bread with his disciples?" I asked.

"No."

As quietly as I could, I explained the story, and how communion was symbolic of  Jesus' sacrifice for us. Mac zeroed in on the fact that it was bread and juice, and therefore a chance to eat during service. She started making munching sounds and asking when we could get the bread. Reading into the way she was acting, I think that she ultimately understood, but was excited by the whole prospect.

When the time came, we went up , and Mac did a great job. She said "thank you" instead of "amen," but overall, it was a successful first communion. Although it came without the ceremony that usually accompanies a first communion, it was a big deal to me. And I hope that in her heart, it was a big deal to her, too.

Mac at church during the Easter play.