2008 Woodie Awards
Communion offered
Aaron Duell
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Features
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College students often don't find a church to attend as regularly as they may have at home, or they might find a church to go to but don't attend frequently enough to receive the Lord's Supper. "Not everybody has a home church here," said Leah Rankin, Master's in Arts and Specialized Ministry graduate student. "We try to make it possible for all the students have access to it."
Holy Communion takes place the first Friday of every month in Pounds Lounge for anyone who wishes to partake in it. Communion comes out of the Jewish holiday called Passover. Steve Rankin, professor of religious studies and campus minister, said, "The Passover meal has an order to it that all Jews recognize, it's the same stories told ever time. Jesus changed the order when he added in 'this is my body broken for you,' et cetera.
"We really emphasize what is called an open table," Steve said. "If I'm repentant, if I'm really willing to be a faithful disciple, it doesn't matter what my denominational background is."
Oct. 5 saw small attendance. Jennifer Edwards, business junior, said, "There were eight or 10 people there. It's pretty relaxed. People from any denomination can come." The United Methodist church does not have a closed communion.
Communion has been given once this year in Pounds Lounge. Rev. Kevin Hopkins was the ordained minister in charge of blessing and issuing the bread and the grape juice. Hopkins and Steve alternate this responsibility. Communion will be served on the first Friday of the month every month this school year with the exception of January.
Communion does not take long. It starts at 11:45 a.m. and ends at noon. Its starting time might conflict with when some classes end. Leah said, "It can be a come and go thing, if you don't get out of class until 11:50 go ahead and come."
Aaron Duell is a freshman with an undeclared major. You may e-mail him at aaron.duell@sckans.edu.
Holy Communion takes place the first Friday of every month in Pounds Lounge for anyone who wishes to partake in it. Communion comes out of the Jewish holiday called Passover. Steve Rankin, professor of religious studies and campus minister, said, "The Passover meal has an order to it that all Jews recognize, it's the same stories told ever time. Jesus changed the order when he added in 'this is my body broken for you,' et cetera.
"We really emphasize what is called an open table," Steve said. "If I'm repentant, if I'm really willing to be a faithful disciple, it doesn't matter what my denominational background is."
Oct. 5 saw small attendance. Jennifer Edwards, business junior, said, "There were eight or 10 people there. It's pretty relaxed. People from any denomination can come." The United Methodist church does not have a closed communion.
Communion has been given once this year in Pounds Lounge. Rev. Kevin Hopkins was the ordained minister in charge of blessing and issuing the bread and the grape juice. Hopkins and Steve alternate this responsibility. Communion will be served on the first Friday of the month every month this school year with the exception of January.
Communion does not take long. It starts at 11:45 a.m. and ends at noon. Its starting time might conflict with when some classes end. Leah said, "It can be a come and go thing, if you don't get out of class until 11:50 go ahead and come."
Aaron Duell is a freshman with an undeclared major. You may e-mail him at aaron.duell@sckans.edu.
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