Thesis Chapters by Kendall Vanderslice
The table of the Eucharist has long been chastised as a divisive space. The institutionalization ... more The table of the Eucharist has long been chastised as a divisive space. The institutionalization of the Christian church throughout history led to the creation of hierarchies, rules, and theologies that argue over the mystical qualities and logistical practicalities of the meal. However it appears that the meal was originally intended to serve as a radical, boundary-breaking meal to welcome the oppressed and socially marginalized. The rising trend of dinner churches claims to tap into the early intentions of the Eucharist, building a community of belonging over the course of the meal. Ethnographic study of Simple Church, a United Methodist dinner church, reveals that through thoughtful use of space, ritual, and language, the positive potential of commensality can subvert dynamics of power and create a new habitus for Christian worship.
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Thesis Chapters by Kendall Vanderslice