Conversations of a Theological nature

The presentation of the gifts My understanding of tithing is closely tied to how I of worship. Whenever I have to look at something that is important to me I find myself always returning to our Eucharistic practice. The Eucharistic celebration is an offering of our time; it is a time for us to come into the rest of God’s presence, rest from our labors and a time when we give to God of our resources. One of my favorite rites in the Eucharist is the presentation of gifts. Here at St Stephens we don’t do it, however, an important part of the presentation of gifts is before the offertory is taken; where the bread and wine is brought to the altar. This rite comes from the early church where people brought [up] bread and wine which they worked to make, for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. This is a simple gesture (that may be easily dismissed) and yet it is full of depth and meaning. It is a reminder that when we are making an offering be it monetary or goods, we are offering ...