Frequently Asked Questions

Worship

Q: I'd like to visit Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church. Is there any reserved seating?

A: We welcome everyone to visit us. You'll find a vibrant and friendly church family! There is no assigned or reserved seating. All members and visitors may sit where they wish.

Q: What is the dress code for worship services?

A: Paul's letter to the Colossians (3:12) sums up the dress code for all Christians succinctly; As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. God is far more concerned with what you hold in your heart than what you wear on your back. There is no dress code at the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church. We invite all to wear whatever they think appropriate as they worship our Lord.

Q: When do we take Holy Communion?

A: We take Communion the first Sunday of each Month. All who seek to lead a life following the way of Christ are welcome at the Lord's table. You need not be a member of this church or the United Methodist Church to join us in Communion.

Q: Why do United Methodists call this sharing of bread and cup by different names, such as Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, and Eucharist?

A: Each of these names is taken from the New Testament and highlights certain facets of this sacrament’s many meanings. Calling it the Lord’s Supper reminds us that it is a meal instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ and hosted by him at his table whenever it takes place. Calling it Holy Communion reminds us that it is an act of the most holy and intimate sharing, making us one with Jesus Christ and part of his body, the church. Calling it the Eucharist, a term taken from the New Testament Greek word meaning thanksgiving, reminds us that giving thanks to God for all that God has done is an essential part of the meal. By using different names we acknowledge that no single name can contain the rich wealth of meanings in this sacred act.

Q: What do United Methodists mean when they call this act a sacrament?

A: Our Confession of Faith states: “We believe the sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian’s profession and of God’s love toward us. They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening [bringing to life], strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” The term is taken from the Latin sacramentum, which was a Roman soldier’s pledge of allegiance. A sacrament is God‘s pledge of allegiance [love and faithfulness] to us, and our answering pledge of allegiance to God.

Q: Do United Methodists believe that the bread and wine physically or chemically change into Christ’s flesh and blood in this sacrament?

A: No, we believe that the change is spiritual. They signify the body and blood of Christ for us, helping us to be Christ’s body in the world today, redeemed by Christ’s blood. We pray over the bread and the cup that they may make us one with Christ, “one with each other, and one in service to all the world.”

Q: I am a Christian, but not a United Methodist. Am I invited to receive Communion in a United Methodist church?

A: Yes indeed. It is the Lord’s Supper, not ours, and it is Christ who invites you. As our ritual puts it: “Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another.” We do not refuse any who present themselves desiring to receive. Whether you should receive Communion with us is between you and God.

Q: I do not wish to receive Communion because doing so would be disloyal to my religion or my denomination. May I attend a United Methodist Communion service and not receive Communion?

A: Yes indeed. We do not want anyone to feel unwelcome because, for whatever reason, they do not choose to receive Communion. Simply remain seated when others go forward, and no one will question what you do.

Q: Should I receive Communion if I feel unworthy?

A: Two thousand years ago Jesus ate with sinners and those whom others scorned. He still does. None of us is worthy, except by God’s grace. Thank God we don’t have to earn worth in God’s eyes by our goodness or our faith. Your sacred worth, and ours, is God’s free gift. No matter what you have done or what your present condition, if you want Christ in your life you are welcome at his table. Communion provides the opportunity for you to confess your sins, to receive forgiveness, and to indicate your intention to lead a new life.

Q: May young children receive Communion?

A: Certainly. As The United Methodist Book of Worship puts it, “All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children, are invited to receive the bread and cup.” We remember that when some of Jesus’ disciples tried to keep children away from him he said: “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14 NRSV).

Q: But do young children know what they are doing when they receive Communion?

A: Do they understand the full meaning of this holy sacrament? No, and neither do any of us. It is a wonderful mystery, and children can sense wonder and mystery. Children cannot understand the full significance of family meals, but we feed them at our family tables and at Christ’s family table. Young children experience being loved by being fed. They sense the difference between being included and excluded at a family meal. They have the faith of a child, appropriate to their stage of development, which Jesus recognized and honored. Indeed, he said to adults: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15 NRSV).

The above eight questions and answers were excerpted from United Methodists and Communion: Some Questions & Answers by Hoyt L. Hickman.

Q: If someone in my family wishes to receive Communion but cannot come to the church service, can Communion be brought to them?

A: Certainly. As an extension of the congregation’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper, Communion is brought to persons, wherever they are, who wish it but could not attend the service. This is directed by our Communion in Community ministry. If you wish to have communion brought to you or a member of your family, please contact us.

Q: May I receive Communion without kneeling?

A: Certainly. There are many different practices used in United Methodist Churches for distributing the bread and juice on Communion Sundays. Most often, here at the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, the elements are distributed to individuals as they come forward and remain standing (or seated in a wheelchair) in front of the Pastor and one of the Lay Leaders. At this time you will receive the bread and are then invited to dip it into the juice (this is called intinction). All are invited to kneel at the rail after receiving Holy Communion if they feel called to do so. We sometimes receive Communion at the rail. If this is the case, and others are kneeling at the rail, you may remain standing and you will be served. You may also come forward in your wheelchair and you will be served. Or you may notify an usher, and someone will come to you and serve you where you are seated.

Q. Why are collection plates set up front during Communion Sundays?

A. Besides the regular offering, collection plates are set up at the front of the church on Communion Sundays. Donations provided in these plates go to the Pastor's discretionary fund. The Pastor's discretionary fund is used to provide confidential emergency financial support to people in the community. This fund enables the Pastor to move quickly and discreetly to help people who are in need of food, gas, clothing and, sometimes, even shelter. This is a very important outreach ministry to our community and it touches many lives.

Q. What is Maundy Thursday and the Service of Tenebrae?

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is observed during Holy Week on the Thursday before Easter. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples the night before he was crucified.

Our Holy Thursday evening service also includes a service of “tenebrae” or “darkness.” This service is based on a twelfth century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the passion of Christ. As we hear the passion narrative, the candles are extinguished and the sanctuary is stripped, as a vivid reminder of the desolation and abandonment of the long night in Gethsemane and what followed.

Ministries

Q. Can I participate in one of the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church's ministries without being a member of the church?
A: Absolutely! Anyone may participate in any activity found in the Ministries section of this website. Just show up at a regularly scheduled meeting or contact the ministry leader for more information. Non church members may also participate in most other activities and committees of the church. A small number of leadership committees, however, are restricted to church members. Please contact the appropriate ministry or committee leader for more details.

Weddings

Q: What must I do to hold my wedding at the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church?
A: Please contact the Pastor for information on arranging weddings at the church.

Funerals

Q: What must I do to arrange a funeral at the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church?
A: The congregation and its pastor want to minister to families on the occasion of death. When a loved one dies, we hope you will call our Pastor as soon as her presence would be helpful to you, regardless of the hour, at 508-234-2275 (Church Office) or 508-234-2243 (Parsonage).