Bread of love and fellowship
Barry Ministry Area pride themselves on creating a culture of fellowship and discipleship. When news broke about Russia's attack on Ukraine they decided to organise an event that brought fellowship and fundraising together. Zoe King, Ministry Area Leader tells us more about their bread making event.
Bread comes in all forms, white, brown, wholemeal, sourdough, traditional shapes such as cottage, flowerpot, baguette and can be eaten hot, cold or toasted.
Quite simply bread is a staple of life and for us Christians also has the link to the body of Christ and the sacrament of the Eucharist.
I like making bread. As a child my brother and I would make bread with our father, and whilst these days I often have the dough made in a bread maker before I shape it or add things to it, it is something I enjoy doing and sharing with others. Breaking bread at an altar and breaking bread at a table are both sacramental acts of love and fellowship.
Last October we as Ministry Area ran a harvest loaf making session which was great fun. People from across our different churches came together and - slightly disbelieving that they could create one each - they all had a go.
Every sheaf was fabulous though some of our harvest mice ranged from teeny tiny vole to full on guinea pig.
Breaking bread is a sacramental acts of love and fellowship.
Our Ministry Area wanted to do something a little different to raise money for the UNHCR so I found a recipe for a Ukrainian Paska loaf, which is traditionally made around Easter time. It's essentially an enriched dough using milk, butter and egg in addition to usual bread ingredients. The loaf is a rich not every day sort of bread, and having made Jewish Challah very similar in taste and texture, and again very similar to brioche.
About 25 people joined in our bread making fundraising event. Each person found themselves with a soft, sticky dough and the room quickly filled with the sounds of laughter and the smell of yeast. The dough needed time to rest so as a community we gathered for the bread of life. Fr Chris led us in a Eucharist for peace with special readings, a short homily and prayers for peace. We then spent time in prayer, had a cup of tea together and went back to shape the traditional Ukrainian paska loaf.
Bread-making gives time for reflection and simply slowing down
Making bread takes time, it can’t be rushed. It is done by hand, involves focus, and the uttermost concentration whilst kneading. In a world when we often find ourselves rushing, bread-making gives time for reflection, chatting and simply slowing down. As people made their bread, you could hear three generations of people chatting, laughing and enjoying time together.
If I were to sum up the event as a sermon title it would be this: there are far more simple things that unite us than separate us.
More information
Recipe for Ukrainian Paska Loaf: Ukrainian Easter Paska Recipe (thespruceeats.com)
Gluten free recipe@ Gluten Free Easter Bread (Paska) - Faithfully Gluten Free
Donate to UNHRC United Kingdom for UNHCR (unrefugees.org.uk)
Visit Barry Ministy Area's new website: Barry Ministry Area – Anglican churches serving the town of Barry. (beneficeofbarry.com)