Re: communion wafers

[Guest guest]

Those interested in the subject should keep in mind that different denominations have extremely different stances on this subject. (I grew up in a Southern Baptist church; the best I can remember, a tray containing little silver cups of grape juice was taken to each pew. I don't recall any form of bread. It was a long time ago.)

Special non-GF communion wafers exist, but their acceptability in specific churches varies.

As I understand it, some Catholic priests are willing, or were willing in the past, to step outside the official position on wafers established by the Vatican. This recent ruling by the Church is quite a firm one. A widely publicized case in Boston involved the first communion for a young girl with CD; soon afterward, the Church published its stance on requirements for communion wafers.

Those who wish to know more will find much information on-line on this subject. As I recall, a few years ago one CD group established a new group to deal only with communion wafers. It was an emotionally laden subject, a very, very difficult area for some members, so people wishing to discuss it were asked to do so only on this separate site.

Another CD group I belong to has Catholics whose churches arranged for them to take only wine, placing them first in line so they avoid cross-contamination.

I'm not a church-goer, so I'm not the best person to give information on this.

H.

In a message dated 2/23/08 9:54:23 AM, joelewis@... writes:

I was best man at a wedding at Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco not too long ago. I asked the pastor what their church's position on the whole communion bread thing was, and he was more than happy to discuss this. His advice and the widely accepted position in his circles was: double up on the wine! I'm all for that!! I am not a theist, but they seem to be highly open-minded and are definitely a friendly, warm, and caring group. I'd recommend that place to anyone. Gorgeous building too. http://www.sftrinithttp://www.shtt

He enthusiastically got into some of the background on the issue and gave me some history on the discussion, and he said it was a common question they received. I wish I could remember the details, but I was more concerned keeping my friend on task at the time... ;-)

-Joe

**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

[Guest guest]

This has been a major issue with me also. The church that I was going to when I was first diagnosed with CD had the attitude that God would not make me sick from just taking the small amount of communion bread. But yes it did. I tried stopping taking the communion bread and was reprimanded for doing this and again was told that if I just prayed then God would not let it hurt me. I then just started faking taking the bread but this left me with a bad feeling about what I was doing. I became very frustrated with these ignorant people and started going to a different church that had no problem with me using a rice wafer instead of their communion bread. In fact they even offered to change all the communion bread to the rice wafers. One thing that has not been brought out is one of the standards for communion bread is that it also has to be leaven free (No yeast, baking soda or baking powder in it) which was met by the Sesmark Rice Thins which I buy at Trader Joe's. (Some times it is labeled with the Trader Joe's Label but it is the same cracker) I have been using them for the last seven years. It is nice to be in a church that is accepting of ones health issues and is not blinded by their strict faith.

Mark

[Guest guest]

I was best man at a wedding at Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco not too long ago. I asked the pastor what their church's position on the whole communion bread thing was, and he was more than happy to discuss this. His advice and the widely accepted position in his circles was: double up on the wine! I'm all for that!! I am not a theist, but they seem to be highly open-minded and are definitely a friendly, warm, and caring group. I'd recommend that place to anyone. Gorgeous building too. http://www.sftrinity.org/index.htm

He enthusiastically got into some of the background on the issue and gave me some history on the discussion, and he said it was a common question they received. I wish I could remember the details, but I was more concerned keeping my friend on task at the time... ;-)

-JoeOn Sat, Feb 23, 2008 at 8:56 AM, Mark Morley <1grnthmb@...> wrote:

This has been a major issue with me also. The church that I was going to when I was first diagnosed with CD had the attitude that God would not make me sick from just taking the small amount of communion bread. But yes it did. I tried stopping taking the communion bread and was reprimanded for doing this and again was told that if I just prayed then God would not let it hurt me. I then just started faking taking the bread but this left me with a bad feeling about what I was doing. I became very frustrated with these ignorant people and started going to a different church that had no problem with me using a rice wafer instead of their communion bread. In fact they even offered to change all the communion bread to the rice wafers. One thing that has not been brought out is one of the standards for communion bread is that it also has to be leaven free (No yeast, baking soda or baking powder in it) which was met by the Sesmark Rice Thins which I buy at Trader Joe's. (Some times it is labeled with the Trader Joe's Label but it is the same cracker) I have been using them for the last seven years. It is nice to be in a church that is accepting of ones health issues and is not blinded by their strict faith.

Mark

-- Joe http://sanbeiji.com/

[Guest guest]

You didn't say if you're Catholic, but taking onlywine as a Catholic is still considered to havehad "full" communion in any church. This is an option if your church ishesitant to change. After all, we see that a simplerestaurant won't easily accommodate us, yet we're surprised the church doesn't! It also depends on your parish and theway we present ourselves to people who have no conceptof CD and can't fathom why we can't accept this tiny bit of wheat in the name of Christ. I am very active in my churchand sat down with our (elderly, crotchety, stuck in his ways)priest and explained exactly what the problem was. I now havemy own consecrated (blessed) wafer that I provide. If he hadn'tagreed, I would have taken only the wine just to make it easy on myself. I'm really sorry for your experience. In my humble opinion, takingcommunion, whether bread and wine, only wine, own cracker, ornot at all is between you and your God and no one has the right toanalyze it or pass judgement on your decision. They shouldn't be studyingit that closely! And there are plenty of people who don't take the winebecause they don't like drinking out of the same cup as others. Are theyjudged? I think not. Sorry to be lengthy, and truly I do not want to have a theologicaldebate of any sort, as I feel that religion is extremely personal,but my point is the church needs to be coddled and educated justlike our favorite markets or restaurants. On Feb 23, 2008, at 8:56 AM, "Mark Morley" <1grnthmb@...> wrote:

This has been a major issue with me also. The church that I was going to when I was first diagnosed with CD had the attitude that God would not make me sick from just taking the small amount of communion bread. But yes it did. I tried stopping taking the communion bread and was reprimanded for doing this and again was told that if I just prayed then God would not let it hurt me. I then just started faking taking the bread but this left me with a bad feeling about what I was doing. I became very frustrated with these ignorant people and started going to a different church that had no problem with me using a rice wafer instead of their communion bread. In fact they even offered to change all the communion bread to the rice wafers. One thing that has not been brought out is one of the standards for communion bread is that it also has to be leaven free (No yeast, baking soda or baking powder in it) which was met by the Sesmark Rice Thins which I buy at Trader Joe's. (Some times it is labeled with the Trader Joe's Label but it is the same cracker) I have been using them for the last seven years. It is nice to be in a church that is accepting of ones health issues and is not blinded by their strict faith.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Yes this is all frustrating to me as well.

I have explained my allergies/intolerance

to our (Catholic) priest. For now I go in the line with the priest and get a

blessing and then take the wine. My son is GF (allergy) and will have 1st

communion in about 2 years so I will have to address it more then. Perhaps at

that point (7yrs old) he may have grown out of his allergy and can tolerate the

0.1 part per million option sancyioned by the church.

But … if we are created in Gods

likeness and are all equal children of God ….then don’t you think

God would cut the many allergy and intolerance sufferers a break….or did

he really create our allergy and intolerance to exclude us…I think not!!!

Yet another reason I question the logic of my religion…..another forum

maybe.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of flatcat9@...

Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008

10:24 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:

communion wafers

Those interested in the

subject should keep in mind that different denominations have extremely

different stances on this subject. (I grew up in a Southern Baptist

church; the best I can remember, a tray containing little silver cups of grape

juice was taken to each pew. I don't recall any form of bread. It was a long

time ago.)

Special non-GF communion wafers exist, but their acceptability in specific

churches varies.

As I understand it, some Catholic priests are willing, or were willing in the

past, to step outside the official position on wafers established by the Vatican. This

recent ruling by the Church is quite a firm one. A widely publicized case in Boston involved the first

communion for a young girl with CD; soon afterward, the Church published its

stance on requirements for communion wafers.

Those who wish to know more will find much information on-line on this subject.

As I recall, a few years ago one CD group established a new group to deal only

with communion wafers. It was an emotionally laden subject, a very, very

difficult area for some members, so people wishing to discuss it were asked to

do so only on this separate site.

Another CD group I belong to has Catholics whose churches arranged for them to

take only wine, placing them first in line so they avoid cross-contamination.

I'm not a church-goer, so I'm not the best person to give information on this.

H.

In a message dated 2/23/08 9:54:23 AM, joelewisgmail writes:

I was best man at a

wedding at Trinity Episcopal Church in San

Francisco not too long ago. I asked the pastor what

their church's position on the whole communion bread thing was, and he was more

than happy to discuss this. His advice and the widely accepted position in his

circles was: double up on the wine! I'm all for that!! I am not a theist, but

they seem to be highly open-minded and are definitely a friendly, warm, and

caring group. I'd recommend that place to anyone. Gorgeous building too.

http://www.sftrinithttp://www.shtt

He enthusiastically got into some of the background on the issue and gave me

some history on the discussion, and he said it was a common question they

received. I wish I could remember the details, but I was more concerned keeping

my friend on task at the time... ;-)

-Joe

**************

Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.

(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

[Guest guest]

Definitely another forum, but this is not how I believe God thinks of it. I feel blessed that I " only " have CD. It's not life threatening, there are no medications to be dependent on, no chemo, no needles. All I have to do is control what goes into my mouth. I think God looked down with favor. The people who have a real gripe are those who are suffering, dying. Not those debating a wheat wafer.

But … if we are created in Gods

likeness and are all equal children of God ….then don't you think

God would cut the many allergy and intolerance sufferers a break….or did

he really create our allergy and intolerance to exclude us…I think not!!!

Yet another reason I question the logic of my religion…..another forum

maybe.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of flatcat9@...

Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008

10:24 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re:

communion wafers

Those interested in the

subject should keep in mind that different denominations have extremely

different stances on this subject. (I grew up in a Southern Baptist

church; the best I can remember, a tray containing little silver cups of grape

juice was taken to each pew. I don't recall any form of bread. It was a long

time ago.)

Special non-GF communion wafers exist, but their acceptability in specific

churches varies.

As I understand it, some Catholic priests are willing, or were willing in the

past, to step outside the official position on wafers established by the Vatican. This

recent ruling by the Church is quite a firm one. A widely publicized case in Boston involved the first

communion for a young girl with CD; soon afterward, the Church published its

stance on requirements for communion wafers.

Those who wish to know more will find much information on-line on this subject.

As I recall, a few years ago one CD group established a new group to deal only

with communion wafers. It was an emotionally laden subject, a very, very

difficult area for some members, so people wishing to discuss it were asked to

do so only on this separate site.

Another CD group I belong to has Catholics whose churches arranged for them to

take only wine, placing them first in line so they avoid cross-contamination.

I'm not a church-goer, so I'm not the best person to give information on this.

H.

In a message dated 2/23/08 9:54:23 AM, joelewis@... writes:

I was best man at a

wedding at Trinity Episcopal Church in San

Francisco not too long ago. I asked the pastor what

their church's position on the whole communion bread thing was, and he was more

than happy to discuss this. His advice and the widely accepted position in his

circles was: double up on the wine! I'm all for that!! I am not a theist, but

they seem to be highly open-minded and are definitely a friendly, warm, and

caring group. I'd recommend that place to anyone. Gorgeous building too.

http://www.sftrinithttp://www.shtt

He enthusiastically got into some of the background on the issue and gave me

some history on the discussion, and he said it was a common question they

received. I wish I could remember the details, but I was more concerned keeping

my friend on task at the time... ;-)

-Joe

**************

Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.

(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed to

this discussion. I'm sorry to hear that so many of us

have had problems at churches/other religious

institutions, and I feel grateful that mine is not too

bound by dogma to consider alternatives. (I go to

Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco.) I'm

going to take all of the great suggestions that you

all have given, and put them together in a list for

our worship leaders. (I can also post that list here,

in case anyone else can make use of it.)

A friend of mine who's a wonderful gluten-free cook

has a challah recipe, and she sent me the link to it

on her blog. It's Gluten-Free / Dairy-Free / Soy-Free

/

Vegetarian / Pareve :

http://glutenfreebay.blogspot.com/2007/09/gluten-free-challah-pareve-dairy-free.\

html

The Music Director in my church was married to a woman

with celiac disease for 5 years, so she completely

understands what celiacs have to deal with. She wrote

the following letter in our weekly church bulletin,

which I wanted to share with you:

" How did you like that

communion bread on Sunday?

It has come to our attention that a significant number

of congregants have Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is

an intolerance for wheat and gluten products. That

little, tiny, eensy, weensy piece of bread that we all

take at communion is literally poison to some people.

Imagine if you went to the welcome table, received a

blessing and then spent the rest of the day AND night

pondering your acid reflux.

Yes, Celiac Disease IS that serious. We even have one

congregant who has a respiratory reaction when the

cloth is removed from the bread after it's

consecrated! He stays in worship through community

prayer and the offertory and then, rather than draw

attention to himself, chooses to leave the service.

You thought the communion bread on Sunday was nasty?

At least you could eat it.

While we cannot address every single allergy that's

out there, this is one we CAN do something about.

Sure, we can go back to the communion wafers but gosh,

wouldn't it be nice if we could still have homemade

bread or at least something much tastier?

If you're interested and willing to help the staff

find yummier alternatives to what you tasted on

Sunday, please contact at ...

or call Adrienne at 415...

Help us make everyone feel welcome

to partake in the meal! "

Again, thank you so much to everyone who wrote in with

suggestions.

Aidan

[Guest guest]

If you google keywords such as "Vatican wheat communion", you'll find a great deal of information about the Church's position. As Pam suggested, people with celiac disease (or alcoholism) are barred from priesthood. As least, that's how I interpret several articles.

H.

**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

[Guest guest]

Several years ago there was an article in the SJ Mercury about

gluten in communion wafers. My name was listed as a resource, and one

fellow called me in reaction to the article to rant about how wheat was

absolutely necessary for the host and that such a small amount couldn’t

hurt anyone. More recently I read an article about a woman with CD who

took communion and continued to have positive biopsies even when she used

low-gluten communion wafers. This continued until she switched to GF

communion wafers, as which point her biopsies became normal.

My understanding is that among Catholics the decision is left up

to individual churches (I’m not sure of the details here, and I don’t

remember the source), so if one church refuses to allow non-gluten host,

another may allow it. Here is a link to an article about this matter:

http://www.celiac.com/articles/285/1/Celiac-Disease-and-the-Catholic-Churchs-Position-Regarding-Communion/Page1.html

It is sad that they don’t allow celiacs to become priests.

Pam

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Aidan Dunn

Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 11:57 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: communion wafers

Hi All,

I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed to

this discussion. I'm sorry to hear that so many of us

have had problems at churches/other religious

institutions, and I feel grateful that mine is not too

bound by dogma to consider alternatives. (I go to

Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco.) I'm

going to take all of the great suggestions that you

all have given, and put them together in a list for

our worship leaders. (I can also post that list here,

in case anyone else can make use of it.)

A friend of mine who's a wonderful gluten-free cook

has a challah recipe, and she sent me the link to it

on her blog. It's Gluten-Free / Dairy-Free / Soy-Free

/

Vegetarian / Pareve :

http://glutenfreebay.blogspot.com/2007/09/gluten-free-challah-pareve-dairy-free.html

The Music Director in my church was married to a woman

with celiac disease for 5 years, so she completely

understands what celiacs have to deal with. She wrote

the following letter in our weekly church bulletin,

which I wanted to share with you:

" How did you like that

communion bread on Sunday?

It has come to our attention that a significant number

of congregants have Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is

an intolerance for wheat and gluten products. That

little, tiny, eensy, weensy piece of bread that we all

take at communion is literally poison to some people.

Imagine if you went to the welcome table, received a

blessing and then spent the rest of the day AND night

pondering your acid reflux.

Yes, Celiac Disease IS that serious. We even have one

congregant who has a respiratory reaction when the

cloth is removed from the bread after it's

consecrated! He stays in worship through community

prayer and the offertory and then, rather than draw

attention to himself, chooses to leave the service.

You thought the communion bread on Sunday was nasty?

At least you could eat it.

While we cannot address every single allergy that's

out there, this is one we CAN do something about.

Sure, we can go back to the communion wafers but gosh,

wouldn't it be nice if we could still have homemade

bread or at least something much tastier?

If you're interested and willing to help the staff

find yummier alternatives to what you tasted on

Sunday, please contact at ...

or call Adrienne at 415...

Help us make everyone feel welcome

to partake in the meal! "

Again, thank you so much to everyone who wrote in with

suggestions.

Aidan

[Guest guest]

The Benedictine Sisters make " low-gluten " Communion wafers. Now, I

haven't tried them yet but if you are Catholic (like I am) and miss

Communion I would read the website as their low-gluten wafers are

below the acceptable doses of gluten. Just search for them on the

internet. I will be talking to my new priest soon about this. It is

true though that for it to be acceptable to the Vatican it has to have

some wheat in it. I am going to give it a go here soon, and figure

that if it makes me sick, I tried.

>

> Yes this is all frustrating to me as well.

>

> I have explained my allergies/intolerance to our (Catholic) priest.

For now

> I go in the line with the priest and get a blessing and then take

the wine.

> My son is GF (allergy) and will have 1st communion in about 2 years so I

> will have to address it more then. Perhaps at that point (7yrs old)

he may

> have grown out of his allergy and can tolerate the 0.1 part per million

> option sancyioned by the church.

>

>

>

> But . if we are created in Gods likeness and are all equal children

of God

> ..then don't you think God would cut the many allergy and intolerance

> sufferers a break..or did he really create our allergy and

intolerance to

> exclude us.I think not!!! Yet another reason I question the logic of my

> religion...another forum maybe.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From:

[mailto: ]

> On Behalf Of flatcat9@...

> Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008 10:24 AM

>

> Subject: Re: [ ] Re: communion wafers

>

>

>

> Those interested in the subject should keep in mind that different

> denominations have extremely different stances on this subject. (I

grew up

> in a Southern Baptist church; the best I can remember, a tray containing

> little silver cups of grape juice was taken to each pew. I don't

recall any

> form of bread. It was a long time ago.)

>

> Special non-GF communion wafers exist, but their acceptability in

specific

> churches varies.

>

> As I understand it, some Catholic priests are willing, or were

willing in

> the past, to step outside the official position on wafers

established by the

> Vatican. This recent ruling by the Church is quite a firm one. A widely

> publicized case in Boston involved the first communion for a young

girl with

> CD; soon afterward, the Church published its stance on requirements for

> communion wafers.

>

> Those who wish to know more will find much information on-line on this

> subject. As I recall, a few years ago one CD group established a new

group

> to deal only with communion wafers. It was an emotionally laden

subject, a

> very, very difficult area for some members, so people wishing to

discuss it

> were asked to do so only on this separate site.

>

> Another CD group I belong to has Catholics whose churches arranged

for them

> to take only wine, placing them first in line so they avoid

> cross-contamination.

>

> I'm not a church-goer, so I'm not the best person to give information on

> this.

>

> H.

>

> In a message dated 2/23/08 9:54:23 AM, joelewis@... writes:

>

> I was best man at a wedding at Trinity Episcopal Church in San

Francisco not

> too long ago. I asked the pastor what their church's position on the

whole

> communion bread thing was, and he was more than happy to discuss

this. His

> advice and the widely accepted position in his circles was: double

up on the

> wine! I'm all for that!! I am not a theist, but they seem to be highly

> open-minded and are definitely a friendly, warm, and caring group. I'd

> recommend that place to anyone. Gorgeous building too.

> <http://www.sftrinity.org/index.htm> http://www.sftrinithttp://www.shtt

>

> He enthusiastically got into some of the background on the issue and

gave me

> some history on the discussion, and he said it was a common question

they

> received. I wish I could remember the details, but I was more concerned

> keeping my friend on task at the time... ;-)

>

> -Joe

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************

> Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.

>

(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-du

> ffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

>