The iCharist and the Methodist

Last updated on: October 8, 2013 at 6:47 am by Artur Rosman

The iCharist and the Methodist 2013-10-08T06:47:32-07:00 Artur Rosman

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Cosmos previously featured a liturgical foul by the Episcopalians here. There was a striking bulletin foul by the Lutherans as well, but the link is dead. This might indicate that the true Lord God of all Creation is the God of the ELCA Lutherans and is swift to justice.

I’d like to overcome the dead link by resurrecting the Lutheran bulletin picture.

Since Catholics are obviously never guilty of liturgical abuses, I’d like to point out both the plank and the sawdust of a recent Methodist church debate.

The issue of the iCharist is unpacked in a thrilling article on the United Methodist Church site (official?) that touts an upcoming (now past) meeting of church leaders:

‘The meeting follows growing discussions about online Eucharist in local churches around the globe, particularly in Europe, said the Rev. Larry Hollon, the top executive of United Methodist Communications. His agency includes United Methodist News Service.

He noted that some nondenominational churches already offer online communion, and some United Methodist churches are considering expanding their online ministries.

“There is a need to recognize the value of online community as well as an equally important need to discuss its limits, as is true with actual community,” Hollon said.’

Just in case you thought you misread all that, one of the participants, Rev. Daniel Wlison, gives you a glimpse into the seductive beauty and dangers of an iCharist:

“You will see onscreen an invitation from one of our pastors to get your elements of bread and juice or wine. We do not want to water it down so much that people use Goldfish (crackers) and apple juice.”

Maybe Jesus doesn’t want you to close your Second Life account just yet?!

Stay tuned for a followup.

Not that all is lost, because Geoffrey Wainwright, author of Eucharist and Eschatology (perfect for this occasion, right?) is one of many Methodist theologians like Hauerwas, L. Gregory Jones, and D. Stephen Long who are first rate theological minds who haven’t cracked. Only, I’m not sure they had much of a say. Yes, there are plenty crappy Catholic theologians.

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