Last Sunday I had the opportunity to go to church in Valencia, Ca. Opportunity might be a weird choice to describe it, as it was more of an adventure/morally depressing adventure.

I certainly have a way of turning normal things into dramatic mis-adventures. But, I've got to be honest - I was beyond shocked and disturbed by what happened when I was at the church that I visited a week ago. Communion was served on Sunday, and we were each passed, with a paper bucket, individually wrapped plastic cups with a cover which included an individually wafer. I mean, I get why this product was made. It's for hospital visits, the military...

But (and this is a huge one) I do not at all, whatsoever, in any way shape or form, get why it's okay to have a coffee creamer cup with wafer in the wrapper to substitute for human beings interacting during the Eucharist. What in the world has happened to the Church when we put 50 "Remembrance" communion cups into a paper basket (much like that for KFC Chicken) and pass it down the row nonchalantly?

As my friend Kristin and I headed to Valencia to see Justin McRoberts lead worship. We went in part to go somewhere different, in part to see a musician we appreciate aesthetically and theologically leading us in a communal activity - worship. Little did we know...

I'll cut out all the details sans communion. It was certainly my favorite (please note the sarcasm) element (no pun intended). A paraphrasing of the invocation to the Eucharist: "We're celebrating communion to remind us that Christ died for us. Please pass the bucket and take communion."

Ahh, yes... I get it now. It's really disheartening to me to know that the celebratory meal that we are supposed to share together, communicating the death and miraculous resurrection of the one we call Christ has been boxed into cardboard and plastic to pass down a row, so to save time.

Yet another reminder of why I am in seminary and what the world is actually like. I wonder how many other things (less blatant) actually slip past my mind on a daily and weekly basis at church that would/could offend me to such a level.

:::::::..::::be not far off (psalm 22):::.:::justin mcroberts:::