HOW
YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE
First, you can simply show your spiritual unity with us by following an inconspicuous form in the way you observe Communion at your Church. God sees your heart and will bless you for it [see Grail liturgy below]
Second, sign-up to be on our mailing list, pray for us, buy our books, and send contributions. These are very practical ways of demonstrating your love to Christ and His ministers. Explore this website to learn more. Go to our Booklist page. We have our vespers on Saturday nights dedicated for prayer for the people. Soon we will have an Internet radio program aired at that time. Sign-up by sending an email to clerk@grailchurch.org and write "list member" in the subject line.
Third, you can request a Letter of Recognition. This relationship is for people who are generally in agreement with us and want closer ties, but do not want to be structurally connected to our order - either because you are Desposyni yourself or you are connected with another ministry of Desposynic origin.
Fourth, you may enroll as a Catechumen. This relationship exists for those who either 1) want to be disciples within the order, 2) want their ministries endorsed and formally blessed, or 3) want to begin the process of a covenantal unity with the Desposyni - or all three of these reasons. Follow this link: http://www.grailchurch.org/catechumenprogram.htm
God bless you as you join with us on this spiritual pilgrimage.
THE GRAIL LITURGY FOR THE EUCHARIST TO THE DISPERSION
Because followers of the Grail are so sparsely scattered around the world, their sacramental needs have been a challenge to fulfill. Herein is a liturgy designed to meet those needs:
Most of the Christian world has founded its practice of Holy Communion on 1 Corinthians 11, where the Apostle Paul relates the story of the Lord's Supper. To the Desposyni, this practice is acceptable for catechumens. However, because the Christian world has been cut off from the Grail Church, its mysteries are not known. The Apostle's description here was not meant to set forth a liturgy, but to provide pastoral guidance to the wayward Corinthian Church.
The Eucharist is a symbol of unity and fellowship with the Body/Church (the Bread) and with the Blood/Seed (the Cup) of the Christ/Lord (the titular head of the House of David). As with all Biblical rituals, there is a vast range of application. But there is just one meaning and one purpose here, simple and pure.
The Desposynic practice of Communion is found in the Didache (didache eucharist) a spiritual guidebook from the late 1st Century. It contains appropriate references to the Vine of David and receives the Cup before the Host, establishing the primacy of the Grail Church. This fact does not contradict the Pauline order as found in Corinthians 11 and the Gospels; for in the Gentile churches, they had not yet received their Desposynic head. And in the Gospels, our Lord had not yet been glorified. The Desposynic Eucharist in the Didache cannot be practiced in the absence of a Desposynic bishop. Thus, the Pauline (or pre-glorification) Eucharist must be practiced.
The liturgy outlined here is for people (and churches) who desire unity with the Desposyni - the Messianic family - but who are too far away to be in contact with them or to observe Communion with them. Observing this liturgy sanctifies the elements and confers the grace of our Lord's Kingdom.
FOR CHURCHES AND GROUPS
Use the liturgy as found in the Didache chapters 10 & 11. Reverse the order. Offer the Bread first (10:3-4) and then the Cup (10:2). The closing prayer (11:2-5) may be offered by the leader or recited in chorus, or creatively prayed responsively. The conclusion ought to be prayed together (11:6).
FOR INDIVIDUALS
If receiving Communion in a Church which does not acknowledge the Grail Church, make the sign of the double-cross (an X - "cross my heart and hope to die" by folding your arms across the breast or making the sign with your hand, and then make the crucifix) and say "Maranatha", a petition which means "My LORD [Jesus] has come; may my lord [a Desposynic head] come."
*NOTE: The X is an important symbol in the Grail Church. Its meaning will be explained to you later, when you are provided instruction in the Patristic writings.
If you do not have a copy of the Didache, you may receive one free of charge from our main office: Cambrian Episcopal Church of the Grail, P.O. Box 8701, Moscow, ID 83843, Attention: Overseer.
According to the Didache, only baptized people may come to the Lord's Table. We teach that children born to Christian parents should be baptized. A layman may baptize. However, before the baptized receives Communion, he ought to be examined and confirmed by one set forth for that purpose. If you need clarification, contact the Overseer.
The Cambrian Episcopal Church of the Grail also makes footwashing a part of its Eucharist. This practice was urged by our Lord in John 13, and was a custom which was brought by the Desposyni into the Celtic Churches. When you are ready to learn more about this custom, we will provide further information.
I certify that the liturgical instructions found herein come from my own hand.
James Wesley Stivers
James Wesley Stivers,
Presiding Overseer,
Cambrian Episcopal Church of the Grail