Why do some churches offer communion to only special member, while the United Methodist open their communion table to all? 

First, let us remember all of the communion situations come from tradition. Each church reviews their belief from the past history and traditions they have acquired. Some require a type of commitment that the pilgrim would have to accomplish prior to coming to communion. Sometimes it is membership others have a specific holiness. I have heard that some people are refused communion due to divorce or other types of situations they would call sins. 

In our church we understand this is a very holy moment. In the United Methodist Church we believe it is extremely holy. This is a time of union for the pilgrim who is coming to receive and Christ Jesus. We as UMC members never take communion, we are given communion. We come humbly to receiving the body and blood of Christ as a remembrance of his blood shed and His body broken for us. 

Our lives are following Christ and receiving communion gives us a time of togetherness with the Holy Spirit. This is the reason we open our table to everyone. There are times when people come to God's table and the Holy Spirit might open their eyes to God overwhelming love and they may grow warm with Christ love in their hearts from the very act of receiving the communion elements.

The communion elements had never had a obligation of being perfect first but Jesus did say to forgive those who you may have issues with first before and confess your sins so you can be forgiven. These acts make the United Methodist different in that we allow the sinner time to confess their sins to God and the humbly receive. 

We as a church see communion as a time of group souls gathering to receive the blood and body of Christ to grow closer to Him and to each other. This is why it is so powerful and meaningful. When we are away for a while we miss it. We need the uniting of our souls and being one with God and one with each other. This moving experience can make anyone feel the Holy Spirit moving in their lives. 

The full reason we do not limit people to the table of God is because it is God's table and not our own. We are not the judges of anyone coming to God's table. We open the table for all, as Jesus opened salvation for all. We have open hearts, open minds, and open doors. 

If you have more questions about communion or other things, please contact Rev. Jennifer Guidoni at rev.guidoni@gmail.com.