Last Rites

T Minus 47

Today was my last communion at St Mary’s a church In I have been part of for over a quarter of a century. We are leaving the church formerly in two weeks time as the summer holidays break.

The term rite is perhaps a somewhat old fashioned term for a religious ceremony like communion. St Mary’s is far from traditional. It has been part of my life for almost all of my time in Milton Keynes. It will be really sad to leave in two weeks time.

Communion occurs once a month in the mornings and is a celebratory event as we remember the death of Christ mirrored in the wine and bread consumed and recalling the Last Supper and the crucifixion on a Good Friday. To Christians this is an important event and an opportunity to share as a community. Together with special services (Easter / Christmas etc) and Evening services I must have taken communion almost 300 times at SMB over the years. I have also assisted in the distribution on occasions.

Month by month it has measured my own life. My first communion was as a single man, I have taken communion engaged to Anita, we took our first communion as a couple in SMB at our wedding. We took communion as new parents and as parents of teenagers.
It was sad today to watch and reflect as familiar faces went to and from the communion rail, realising that soon this community will be far away.