Table Etiquette

Growing up, my mother had all sorts of ‘teachings’ about the table. She taught my sister and I how to set the table (fork on the left sort of stuff). She taught us how to fold napkins in an ordinary and a fancy way! She taught us about where to sit and what side to serve from (always serve from the left and clear from the right). One standard was, ‘you don’t serve yourself first and then your guests’ – unless it is Ethiopian food and you are showing them how to do it!

In an effort to be more hospitable and practical, I am going to take communion last. I’m asking the communion assistants to do the same. Ritual is important and our understanding of the how and why is just as important. The handbook on The Use of the Means of Grace – says that leaders may commune “before or after the congregation”. I would like to commune after, so that my attention is given to the guests first. I realize that there will be some chaos for a while as we get used to this, but soon, it will become culture and be natural.

I wonder how many families are still teaching the etiquette of the table? With Holy Communion – we are. All are welcome.