Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: harry@atmos.washington.edu (Harry Edmon) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Capital Sins and Capital Virtues Message-ID: Date: 10 Nov 89 07:27:10 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington Lines: 23 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Our beloved moderator in this comments in this article refers to "closed" communion. The proper name for this, at least in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), is "close" communion. The two reasons given, that a person be properly prepared and that those participating have the same understanding of communion, are the reasons for it. The LCMS does have a synodical policy of close communion, with each congregation to use proper pastoral care in its administration. Our congregation handles this by printing in the bulletin our belief that the bread and wine are the true body and blood of Christ, and invite those who believe likewise to join us. If the person is going to attend communion in our church regularly, we ask them to talk to the Pastor. After all, only the person involved and God know if the person is properly instructed on communion and if they believe the same as we do. I might add that the LCMS also allows exception to the close communion rule in certain other circumstances such as for military chaplins. -- Harry Edmon INTERNET: harry@atmos.washington.edu (206) 543-0547 UUCP: uw-beaver!atmos.washington.edu!harry Dept of Atmospheric Sciences, AK-40 University of Washington