Cross and Candles on the Communion Table

A recent e-mail raised this question: "I have noticed the practice in some United Methodist Churches of removing the cross and candles from the Lord's Table when Holy Communion is celebrated. They have on occasion placed the cross in a back room outside the sanctuary. They say it's what Hoyt Hickman's United Methodist Altars (Abingdon, 1996) says. I have pointed out that they are misinterpreting the meaning of the book. Have you ever heard of this practice?"

Here is how I responded:

I think that what Dr. Hickman has stated in United Methodist Altarsis quite clear and appropriate. The principle is: No cross on the Lord's Table at any time. It is not that the cross is not important; rather, the cross is a symbol and sign in its own right just as is the Communion Table. Each is to have its place. Secondarily, when the cross is on the Table as a vertical sign, it is impossible for the presider to function at the Table. He or she has to navigate around it in awkward gestures. If United Methodists heeded our pattern of worship — Word and Table — we would be celebrating the sacrament weekly; and it would be clearer that the Lord's Table is not a pedestal for flowers or other decorations, but a Table around which the body of Christ shares the Eucharist.

I heartily agree that the cross should not be taken to the sacristy or some other place for Communion. It, just as the Table and the font, should have its permanent place: on the wall, on a retable (stand or table behind the Communion table), or suspended over Table or worship space. This is a matter that calls for the congregation to think through its worship space and the placement of all its furnishings and spaces, including the primary centers (communal space, font, lectern, table) and the primary symbols (Bible and cross). Perhaps there are other primary symbols, but I am hard pressed to name any others as primary. We ought to take heed to Robert Hvoda's reminding us that "the human community assembled is the most important liturgical reality in the environment" (Strong, Loving And Wise. Liturgical Press, 1976, p. 43). I highly recommend Hovda's book for pastors and all who seek a fresh vision of worship as a transforming event.

I think where the custom of removing the cross (and candles) may have come from is the practice of using a pall — the large fair linen cloth — that churches spread over the Communion elements placed on the Table prior to the beginning of the service. At least, I have seen that done in a number of United Methodist Churches in past decades; and some still do it. The elements take up a good portion of the Table and, I suppose, the aesthetic eye of local sacristans sensed that it was more pleasing to have a smooth line across the Table from side to side. Thus everything else needed to go, including cross and candles.

On the matter of candles, there is no reason to remove them if they are not in the way of the "taking, blessing, breaking and giving" actions at the Table. There are numerous ways of arranging candles on or near the Table, and United Methodist Altars explores those.

Let me call your attention to the new statement on Holy Communion, This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion, adopted by the 2004 General Conference. Although it does not deal with the kind of exacting details you raise, it does invite a comprehensive review of our theology and practice. You can review itonline (in pdf format).

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Daniel Benedictis retired from the Discipleship Ministries.