And the Table Will Be Wide: A Blessing for World Communion Sunday (Jan Richardson)

World Communion Sunday is a celebration observed by several Christian denominations, taking place on the first Sunday of every October, that promotes Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. It began in 1933 and is now celebrated by many denominations in many countries. The day beckons us to remember that when we gather at the Lord’s table, we celebrate not only with those present and visible but also with sisters and brothers around the world. 

Read some of the early history of the annual event at
http://www.wekivapresbyterian.org/articles/presbyterian_origins.htm

In this post I highlight a marvelous poem and painting by Rev. Jan Richardson - may they bless you as much as they bless me.

image

Collage: The Best Supper © Jan L. Richardson

And the Table Will Be Wide:
A Blessing for World Communion Sunday

And the table
will be wide.
And the welcome
will be wide.
And the arms
will open wide
to gather us in.
And our hearts
will open wide
to receive.

And we will come
as children who trust
there is enough.
And we will come
unhindered and free.
And our aching
will be met
with bread.
And our sorrow
will be met
with wine.

And we will open our hands
to the feast
without shame.
And we will turn
toward each other
without fear.
And we will give up
our appetite
for despair.
And we will taste
and know
of delight.

And we will become bread
for a hungering world.
And we will become drink
for those who thirst.
And the blessed
will become the blessing.
And everywhere
will be the feast.

– Jan Richardson

Rev. Jan Richardson is an artist, author, United Methodist minister, and director of The Wellspring Studio, LLC. When folks ask her where The Wellspring Studio is, she says, Wherever I am, there it is… She would love for you to pay a virtual visit to the studio at janrichardson.com. 

She originally published her collage online in 2008 at
http://paintedprayerbook.com/2008/10/03/the-best-supper/

and originally published her blessing poem in 2012 at
http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/09/30/and-the-table-will-be-wide/

To use Jan’s prayer in a worship service: “Quotations from Jan’s books or blogs, including prayers, blessings, and poems, may be used in worship settings without requesting permission, provided you include a brief credit line with Jan’s name and the source of the quotation. Your inclusion of a link to Jan’s website (janrichardson.com)—or, if quoting from one of Jan’s blogs, a link to the blog—would be a welcome form of support.”
http://janrichardson.com/permissions

To project or print Jan’s image, see
http://www.janrichardsonimages.com/details.php?gid=61&pid=138

Jan’s Websites & Blogs:

janrichardson.com

janrichardsonimages.com

sanctuaryofwomen.com

The Wellspring Service

The Advent Door

Sanctuary of Women

Devotion Café

The dream of all worldwide Christians gathering on one Sunday, around one table—the Lord’s Table—seems as much of an impossible dream now as it did in 1933. We see the connections between individual believers, congregations and denominations stretched to the uttermost limits. Yet, when we all share the Meal where Christ is our Host, we are connected in ways that go beyond our personal preferences, or theological scuffles, as well as transcending boundaries of geography and language. What we find on World Communion Sunday is a dissolving of those things that might hurt of divide us. Around His Table together, we broadcast our faith to the world and say, “Come and dine; there is room for all!”
http://www.wekivapresbyterian.org/articles/presbyterian_origins.htm

Here are links to my earlier blog posts for World Communion Sunday:

http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/10342673357/songs-for-world-communion-sunday-oct-2-2011

http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/7778050435/world-communion-sunday-a-sample-service

http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/10517616487/food-for-pilgrim-people-world-communion-song-from

http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/10510121003/we-are-coming-lord-to-the-table-world-communion

http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/10453220172/come-let-us-eat-world-communion-song-liberia

http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/11762222927/te-ofrecemos-padre-nuestro-communion-song-from

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