I'm hurt, and no one cares.

[plaid_pixie]

my parish priest doesn't understand why i refuse communion. he wants to discuss this.

no one wants to get rid of Spong- now or then- and no one really cares anyway.

everything has to be approached from a pastoral perspective.

hummpf.

[CSMR]

Why is it you are refusing communion pixie?

[plaid_pixie]

because my taking communion in the episcopal church, even while I disagreed with the doctrinal and dogmatic beliefs of the episcopal church, would make me a hypocrite, at least in my own eyes.

[DaniN]

I agree with you... I don't take communion either. I feel it is a personal choice, I don't take it because in some churches I have visited they have said that communion was a "way to salvation. Stick to your guns and be proud of your beliefs.

[masuwerte]

my parish priest doesn't understand why i refuse communion. he wants to discuss this.

Maybe you should discuss it with him. Just tell him your concerns. He might not agree with you, but he should understand you.

[Polycarp1]

By the way, regarding Spong, feel free to talk to me (ideally by a thread, by PM if you prefer). I know him personally in a casual way and have access to people who know him more closely. A lot of what goes on with him and controversy is played up -- by both him and his opponents -- beyond where he stands theologically. I don't propose to defend him to you -- I disagree with quite a bit of his teachings myself -- but I may be able to explain him a bit better than news media, which are more interested in story than in background.

[CSMR]

because my taking communion in the episcopal church, even while I disagreed with the doctrinal and dogmatic beliefs of the episcopal church, would make me a hypocrite, at least in my own eyes.
I wouldn't take much notice of the church as a whole. Different churches in the episcopal church will believe all sorts of different things. What do you think of the church you go to? Why do you go there rather than to another church?

[higgs2]

because my taking communion in the episcopal church, even while I disagreed with the doctrinal and dogmatic beliefs of the episcopal church, would make me a hypocrite, at least in my own eyes.
If you disagree so deeply, why even attend? There must be something you get out of it besides being able to receive the Eucharist.

[She]

because my taking communion in the episcopal church, even while I disagreed with the doctrinal and dogmatic beliefs of the episcopal church, would make me a hypocrite, at least in my own eyes.

I know how you feel. I have the same problem both in the Anglican Church and in the Roman Catholic Church.

Try to ignore the priest or go to a different Church where the priest is not so nosey. You are quite within your rights to go to Church and not go to communion. It is not compulsory. God can, and does, reach us without communion.

God bless.

[plaid_pixie]

If you disagree so deeply, why even attend? There must be something you get out of it besides being able to receive the Eucharist.

i don't. :(

[RedneckAnglican]

you know there are other choices (cough...cough...ACiA...cough)...

[SirTimothy]

I'm hurt, and no one cares.

my parish priest doesn't understand why i refuse communion. he wants to discuss this.

no one wants to get rid of Spong- now or then- and no one really cares anyway.

everything has to be approached from a pastoral perspective.

hummpf.

Let me get this right. You say that you don't like your church. And your pastor wants to take the time to discuss it with you, to find out why you won't recieve communion and you think no-one cares? Your parish priest evidently does! He wants to talk and find out just what your problems are. Now I'm not going to be nice here. It sounds like you're trying to get pity rather than trying to do something constructive. If your parish priest, who's job it is is to find out just what's wrong with his congregation as their pastor wants to discuss it with you, the least you can do is find out. He does care--it's his job to care, and he is probably the best and most capable person to discuss such issues with. If he's approaching things from a pastoral perspective... that's a good thing! He wants to help, and it sounds like he's doing his very best to try and do so.

I'd be concerned if your parish priest refused to discuss it with you, but your post makes it clear that he wants to discuss it so that he can help to feed you in your walk with Christ. It hurts him when you refuse the sacrament from his hands, I'm sure, and it hurts not only your local parish of the Body of Christ, but it hurts us all. So what if there are unsound members who you are in communion with. Taking communion is about being in communion not only with God, and those whom you disagree with, but it links us, instrinsically with all Christian people throughout all time, right the way back to the Apostles. When you refuse, it hurts all of us, because as our liturgy affirms: "Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread."

So go, talk to your pastor. Explain your concerns to him, and let him try to help you. If he wasn't helping, then yeah, I'd be up in arms, but if he's ready and willing to talk and find out your problems yet YOU'RE unwilling to discuss it with him because you think you know what he's going to say causes any sympathy to disappear in an instant I'm afraid.

Tim

[higgs2]

i don't. :(
Why do you go?

[TomUK]

If you feel so uncomfortable in the Episcopal Church then perhaps for guidance as to where you should worship.

What is that is making you feel so uncomfortable though? I disagree with Spong in many ways and feel he has really damaged the Anglican Church. However his ordination is totally valid and the sacraments he preside are equally valid. I assume you don't receieve communion from your current Priest because he was ordained by Spong. Just remember that no matter how much you dislike Spong his actions have meant you are able to receieve the body and blood of Christ. If you are baptised then you should i implore you to put focus not on Spong but on Christ revealled to us in the sacrament. Above all the issue to me seems to come down to whether you believe Christ is truely present in the eucharist. If you believe he is then i can't understand how you can refuse him.

[gtsecc]

Try the Orthodox Church

[wmc1982]

I care! But the Bible recommends communion

[benedictine]

nm

[plaid_pixie]

If you feel so uncomfortable in the Episcopal Church then perhaps for guidance as to where you should worship.

What is that is making you feel so uncomfortable though? I disagree with Spong in many ways and feel he has really damaged the Anglican Church. However his ordination is totally valid and the sacraments he preside are equally valid. I assume you don't receieve communion from your current Priest because he was ordained by Spong. Just remember that no matter how much you dislike Spong his actions have meant you are able to receieve the body and blood of Christ. If you are baptised then you should i implore you to put focus not on Spong but on Christ revealled to us in the sacrament. Above all the issue to me seems to come down to whether you believe Christ is truely present in the eucharist. If you believe he is then i can't understand how you can refuse him.

my priest and spong are two different, yet related issues.

i recognize Spong as a validly ordained bishop, as well as anyone he may have ordained. holy orders are not nulled and voided by the beliefs of the ordaining bishop, except for intent.

[plaid_pixie]

nm

Benedictine, why don't you pm me with whatever you were going to say?

[plaid_pixie]

Let me get this right. You say that you don't like your church. And your pastor wants to take the time to discuss it with you, to find out why you won't recieve communion and you think no-one cares? Your parish priest evidently does! He wants to talk and find out just what your problems are. Now I'm not going to be nice here. It sounds like you're trying to get pity rather than trying to do something constructive. If your parish priest, who's job it is is to find out just what's wrong with his congregation as their pastor wants to discuss it with you, the least you can do is find out. He does care--it's his job to care, and he is probably the best and most capable person to discuss such issues with. If he's approaching things from a pastoral perspective... that's a good thing! He wants to help, and it sounds like he's doing his very best to try and do so.

I'd be concerned if your parish priest refused to discuss it with you, but your post makes it clear that he wants to discuss it so that he can help to feed you in your walk with Christ. It hurts him when you refuse the sacrament from his hands, I'm sure, and it hurts not only your local parish of the Body of Christ, but it hurts us all. So what if there are unsound members who you are in communion with. Taking communion is about being in communion not only with God, and those whom you disagree with, but it links us, instrinsically with all Christian people throughout all time, right the way back to the Apostles. When you refuse, it hurts all of us, because as our liturgy affirms: "Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread."

So go, talk to your pastor. Explain your concerns to him, and let him try to help you. If he wasn't helping, then yeah, I'd be up in arms, but if he's ready and willing to talk and find out your problems yet YOU'RE unwilling to discuss it with him because you think you know what he's going to say causes any sympathy to disappear in an instant I'm afraid.

Tim

1) you need to understand that I APPROACHED HIM. we talked before i made that post. he baisically told me i was wrong, and didn't make any sense.

2) i know it hurts when i refuse the sacraments from his hands. i know that, and i hate it. i really do, especially cause he's a really nice guy, and really cares about people.

3) if i took communion in an episcopal church, except for the orthodox remnant, i would be a hypocrite.

4) Tim, you need to realize that i, along with a great many christians, see the eucharist as a symbol of unity, in addition to the body and blood of christ.

[No Swansong]

because my taking communion in the episcopal church, even while I disagreed with the doctrinal and dogmatic beliefs of the episcopal church, would make me a hypocrite, at least in my own eyes.


I guess I don't understand. If you disagree with the doctrine and dogma of the Episcopal Church why are you Episcopalian? It doesn't make sense to me.

[plaid_pixie]

being born to episcopalian parents and going to the same parish will make one an episcopalian.

[No Swansong]

being born to episcopalian parents and going to the same parish will make one an episcopalian.

Ok now that makes sense. Have you spoken to your parents about experiencing other faith expressions? Perhaps they would support your desire to find an expression in which you can commune.

[benedictine]

plaid, I would, but I need to clean my inbox. again. :|

[plaid_pixie]

Ok now that makes sense. Have you spoken to your parents about experiencing other faith expressions? Perhaps they would support your desire to find an expression in which you can commune.

One's methodist, one's an adulterer.

[Orthocat]

One's methodist, one's an adulterer.

Forgive me for jumping in.
It sounds like there is some unresolved conflict in your home. This could be unsettling you in every aspect of your life, including church, causing some displaced aggression/aggravation/tension.
Anytime bad thoughts/feelings upset one aspect of your life, there are "things" that will cause this to move into another aspect, and another, and another, to throw off your whole life.
This must first be resolved to find peace in all other parts.

Now, on a side note, I too refused communion. I refused ordination. I was called a donatist and a heretic. Whatever....

Please pm if you like...we'll talk!!

My prayers for you :crosseo:

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Plaid,

Knowing very little about you or your situation may I suggest the following?

Since you are of legal age, and able to make choices for yourself, may I encourage you to use the power of choice to make decisions for your own spiritual well being?

If you are unhappy with your parish, seek out another one.

If you are unhappy with the Anglican/Episcopalian faith, start researching other branches of Christianity. Attend other churches in your area. It doesn't exactly sound like your parents are holding a gun to your head to attend the Episcopal Church. (At the very least you will gain a better understanding of how other people worship!)

DON'T play the victim. If you're unhappy where you are in life, DO something about it. You always have a choice -- make sure you excercise yours.

In XC,

Maureen

[No Swansong]

The internet which you obviously have access to is a wonderful tool in researching other expressions of the faith. I recommend however you stick to "official" denominational pages. While rhere are very many excellent "unofficial" sites some of them are inaccurate and misleading.

[higgs2]

Plaid,

Knowing very little about you or your situation may I suggest the following?

Since you are of legal age, and able to make choices for yourself, may I encourage you to use the power of choice to make decisions for your own spiritual well being?

If you are unhappy with your parish, seek out another one.

If you are unhappy with the Anglican/Episcopalian faith, start researching other branches of Christianity. Attend other churches in your area. It doesn't exactly sound like your parents are holding a gun to your head to attend the Episcopal Church. (At the very least you will gain a better understanding of how other people worship!)

DON'T play the victim. If you're unhappy where you are in life, DO something about it. You always have a choice -- make sure you excercise yours.

In XC,

Maureen
great post. :thumbsup: