First Communion

Holy week became even more special this year because the fifth graders at our church (and their families) shared a Passover meal and received their first communion tonight as part of the Maundy Thursday service.

The Seder Meal is more of an educational experience than anything else. Narrators take us through a typical Passover meal, where we learn the symbolism of certain foods and try them. Matzah (bread that tastes like soda crackers) was a bigger hit with the kids than some of the rest. We learned a little Hebrew, too, which isn't so easy to say out loud -- especially after multiple cups of wine (well, grape juice for some of us).

Before the church service began, Carter was a bit nervous about doing the right thing when we took communion. He's always gone up with me to be blessed, but maybe hasn't paid attention. That wasn't his main concern, though. "What if I don't like the wine?" (You know him and his aversion to drinking medicine!) I told him just to take a sip then. He didn't have to drink it all if he didn't like it. That seemed to work fine.

It was pretty neat to kneel next to him and do that together. This certainly will change our church-going experiences going forward. It will be even more special as we share our faith and watch our boy continue his transition to adulthood.

No rush.