The Assurance of Communion

by General Presbyter Melana Scruggs

Tomorrow is World Communion Sunday and will be celebrated by Christians all over. World Communion was started in 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA, by a Presbyterian pastor, Dr. Hugh Thomson Kerr. Dr. Kerr first thought of the idea when he was moderator of the General Assembly in 1930. His hope was that churches would recognize the connection they had through the promises of Christ more than they recognized their differences in polity and worship style. 

The idea was slow to catch on until World War II when the predecessor body of the National Council of Churches promoted the practice. Today Christian churches around the globe celebrate this unity in Christ on the first Sunday of October. Many churches in Peace River Presbytery have special ways to recognize this day of worship. The denomination also set this day to receive the Peace and Global Witness offering as a way to share with those in the world who suffer because of war, poverty, or oppression.

We just passed the one-year mark since Hurricane Ian which devastated so many within our bounds. Many people are still waiting for help to have safe homes to live in. Several of our churches are also still recovering or trying to discern what is next for them. Please keep those affected by Ian and other disasters in your prayers as we gather at the Table to be reminded of God’s unending grace and love.