According to a 20 July 1969 Associated Press dispatch:
“Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. went to the moon today with a piece of Communion bread he will use there to symbolize fellowship with his home church on earth.
When the Rev. M. Dean Woodruff [minister of the Webster Presbyterian church where Aldrin was an elder] brought out the bread for Communion, a portion of the loaf had been broken away. The minister explained that Aldrin took a portion of the loaf with him on the moon trip and at some time during the afternoon, after the moon landing is made, Aldrin would symbolically join the other parishioners in Communion during one of his rest periods.”
While he was, strictly speaking, not together with the other members of his church, they were together in spirit. So in that sense, at least, he wasn’t really trying to have communion without sharing.
In addition Clint’s article at Cripplegate, here’s a little blurb from a Texas news source about the recent anniversary of the event. Apparently his (old?) home church still thinks it’s a big deal. They celebrate it every year.
What about shut-ins and the hospitalized, etc.? Seems to me that being in the same place at the same time with the congregation is really important but not indispensable. You can “share” in what your church did somewhere else a few hours ago or last week. But I do think consciousness of the importance of fellowship is not optional.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Discussion
NewSpecial dispensation
Special dispensation - for anyone who wants to fly to the moon:
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Jim's Doctrinal Statement
NewIt was a little different than portrayed in the post
According to a 20 July 1969 Associated Press dispatch:
“Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. went to the moon today with a piece of Communion bread he will use there to symbolize fellowship with his home church on earth.
When the Rev. M. Dean Woodruff [minister of the Webster Presbyterian church where Aldrin was an elder] brought out the bread for Communion, a portion of the loaf had been broken away. The minister explained that Aldrin took a portion of the loaf with him on the moon trip and at some time during the afternoon, after the moon landing is made, Aldrin would symbolically join the other parishioners in Communion during one of his rest periods.”
While he was, strictly speaking, not together with the other members of his church, they were together in spirit. So in that sense, at least, he wasn’t really trying to have communion without sharing.
Dave Barnhart
NewIn the news
In addition Clint’s article at Cripplegate, here’s a little blurb from a Texas news source about the recent anniversary of the event. Apparently his (old?) home church still thinks it’s a big deal. They celebrate it every year.
http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Webster-Presbyte…
M. Scott Bashoor Happy Slave of Christ
NewSharing... vs. simulteneity
What about shut-ins and the hospitalized, etc.? Seems to me that being in the same place at the same time with the congregation is really important but not indispensable. You can “share” in what your church did somewhere else a few hours ago or last week. But I do think consciousness of the importance of fellowship is not optional.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.