Life to the World

One of my favorite days is arriving: World Communion Sunday! We always celebrate this special day on the first Sunday of October, when people come from east and west, north and south, to gather for the joyful feast of the people of God.

Although months away, preparations have already begun. We are all from different backgrounds, yet one in Christ, and we can learn from each other by sharing our heritage through something as simple as bread. Members will bake or contribute bread or artifacts from their heritage to share on October 7th, and various countries are represented each year.

What excites me most is baking with children, sharing stories with others, learning about where they are from, and asking if they have family bread memories. If they have never baked bread, but would like to learn, we find time to prepare a loaf from their heritage to serve on World Communion Sunday.

Each year, I add new countries to my bread repertoire. It surprises me how the smallest addition of unusual ingredients contributes to unique nuances in flavor. A favorite from last year was the Koulouri-Cypriot bread from Cyprus. One of the ingredients, masticha, is the resin of an evergreen tree from the Greek island, Chios. By learning about bread from various regions, I’ve learned how important it is to many communities. It really is their source of life, just as God is our source of life.

As preparations continue for World Communion, I’m sure I will periodically write about what’s going into the oven. In the meantime, I hope you will consider baking bread with me!

For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…”Sir, give us this bread always.” – John 6:33-34