November 21, 2025
Communion of Saints
We say in Apostle’s Creed, “I believe in the communion of saints.” When we say those words, we might think of that in abstract terms, such as all those coming “from east and west, and from north and south to sit at table in the kingdom of God” as we say as we approach Christ’s Table. It is conceptual, if not eschatological.
In the past weeks I have had a more immediate, concrete, palpable sense of that “communion.” The term communion comes from the Greek term koinonia. Besides being translated as communion it is also translated as “participation” and “fellowship.” It literally translates as ‘joint sharing’, meaning to hold something in common. As followers of Christ, we share in, participate in, a common life though the Spirit.
That sort of joint sharing is the experience that Susan and I had with you all when we were joining the All Saints service online. The day before Susan’s mother, Violet Lyon, passed away. Almost exactly 24 hours after she passed, and in the same room, we joined our prayers with yours from miles away. It was a gift at that moment to be a virtual pew sitter with Susan for a change. It was also a gift to see you all again, to hear the names, even see the photos, of those being remembered. Susan and I both had the experience of being “at home” with you all. You are our church, our family of faith. It was an overwhelming sense of being a part of you all. We share a common life in Christ together with you. For this we are most grateful.
But the communion of saints is not just present. Eight days later I would officiate Grandma Vi’s funerary rites, a graveside service for family and public service at Broadway Covenant Church. Broadway was where I went to finish the last 5 months of my seminary internship, only to leave over 5 years later. There I was welcomed by a community who encouraged and supported me in the nascent days of my ministry. It was there four parishioners, Kurt and Gladys Anderson and their daughters Carrie and Wendy, encouraged me to meet their niece/cousin, Susan. Though having been separated from this community by years and miles, there was a deep sense of being supported as part of the “the home team” for that service. At the reception I reconnected with old friends at Broadway about stories from the past, and beloved friends who had passed. Though separated by years, miles—even death—from this communion, there remained a koinonia with them that is more than theological or theoretical. It is a sense of continuing to have a shared life in Christ together.
I offer this as a word of thanks, appreciation, and affirmation to you all who have—past and present—entrusted me with the sacred privilege of being your pastor. At the same time, you have extended your love to Susan and I, being ministered by you since the day we (virtually) arrived. I also offer this as a word of hope to you all, that those near to us in Christ, but separated time, distance, or death, are still connected by the union of a shared life together that only our God can offer.
May this circle of communion indeed remain unbroken, as the Carter Family sang.
With deep appreciation for you all,
~ Pastor Todd