World Communion Sunday’s message of one loaf, one body becomes a Global Ministries’ 30-day call to action

A basket of freshly baked pita bread is placed on the communion table near the common cup and the one loaf. A staple in Middle Eastern diets, the pita delivers a sermon without words: Its signature hollow pockets, created by rising steam within the dough as it bakes on hot bricks, speaks of how one’s faith expands amid life’s heated challenges.

This Sunday, Oct. 4, there will be a basket — or two — of pita bread shared in United Church of Christ congregations as they join siblings around the world in the celebration of World Communion Sunday. And thanks to Global Ministries World Communion Sunday resources, there might even be breads from other regions, symbolizing the power of unity amid diversity at the table. (Click here for bread recipes.)

A Global Table of Grace not only provides bread recipes from around the world, underscoring the scriptural theme of 1 Corinthians 10:17 — Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf — but includes a plethora of worship material curated to bring a vast and varied world closer together. From written liturgies to children object lessons to videos featuring international music and prayers delivered by Global Ministries many partners, the resource is an opportunity for congregations to learn of other cultures and to broaden their circle of mission.

Beyond Sunday

This year, World Communion Sunday doesn’t end when the last crumb of bread is swept off the communion table. Global Ministries, a shared witness of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which is celebrating 30 years of mission and ministry, invites congregations to embark on a 30-day call to action.

From Communion to Community: 30 Days of Global Faith in Action is a daily calendar filled with ways to engage in global mission. Starting on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4 and concluding on Election Day, Nov. 4, each day features ways to learn more, pray harder — and act boldly.

For example, Day 5 invites participants to pray when hearing about a disaster for those who are suffering. Day 13 asks participants to expand their image of Jesus by accessing a link to explore the various cultural depictions of Jesus. (Click here to download the complete PDF Communion to Community calendar.)

The goal of “From Communion to Community” is just that: To take the act of breaking bread in a church to the sharing of that bread in the world, all the while recognizing how faith calls for the building of a just, peaceful and hopeful world.

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