A new step in eucharistic fellowship
'In Joyful Hope' is the title of a new step in eucharistic fellowship. It resulted from the desire of a Methodist minister and a Roman Catholic priest to provide opportunities for people of different Christian traditions to worship together, and to be edified, inspired, and encouraged in faith through the sacrament of Holy Communion/Eucharist.
The Guideline Statement drawn up by those promoting the initiative acknowledges the differences that exist in theological interpretation and liturgical practice, and requests respect for those differences, evident, for example, in the Eucharistic discipline of the Roman Catholic Church. It stresses that the joy of being present at the Eucharistic worship of another Christian tradition is greater that the pain experienced by observing that discipline.
The clergy promoting the initiative include representatives of the Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches.
The first celebration, a Methodist Holy Communion, took place in Knock Methodist Church in November. A subsequent celebration according to the Roman Catholic rite took place in St.Bernard's Church Glengormley in January.
The next celebration (Church of Ireland) will take place in St.Mark's Parish Church Newtownards on Monday 7th March at 8.00pm, at which the local rector, Canon Ken Smyth, will preside.