Souvenirs and Mementoes
Remembering Jesus by sharing bread and wine
by Helen Redfern (revised, originally published in 2007)
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To consider the importance of the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Preparation and materials
- You will need a souvenir and a memento of your own to share and discuss.
- Have available some communion bread and wine or an image of them. An example is available at: https://tinyurl.com/y4mahtn3
Assembly
- I wonder how many of you have any of these items.
- A Mickey Mouse keyring from Disneyland.
- An Empire State Building snow globe from New York.
- An Eiffel Tower pencil sharpener.
- A shell from the Caribbean.
How about T-shirts, mugs, spoons or pencils printed with ‘A souvenir from Clacton-on-Sea’ . . . or the Costa Brava . . . or Canada . . . or wherever? - Show the souvenir that you have brought in.
Talk about it with the students, describing where it comes from, when you got it and what it reminds you of.
Then, ask the students to tell their neighbour about a souvenir that they have at home and what it signifies for them. - The word ‘souvenir’ comes from the French word meaning ‘to remember’. A traveller brings home a souvenir for the memories that are associated with it. A souvenir is so much more than just an object – it’s a tangible reminder of a great holiday, a fun time with friends or family, lovely weather or an unforgettable experience.
- In the same way, we may have a memento of a special occasion, or a keepsake to remind us of someone who has died. These objects help us to remember an event or a special person.
Show the memento that you have brought in.
Talk about it with the students, describing who or what it reminds you of. - In the Bible, Luke describes the last meal that Jesus shared with his friends before he died. Jesus knew that he was not going to be with his friends for much longer, and he wanted to leave them with something to remember him by.
‘He took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”’ (Luke 22.19–20) - Jesus took two everyday objects and gave them a new significance. Every time his friends ate bread and drank wine, they would remember Jesus and everything that he had done for them.
Over 2,000 years later, Christians all over the world still remember Jesus and his death on the cross by sharing bread and wine together. Some call this a service of Holy Communion; others call it the Eucharist, or Mass, or the Breaking of Bread. All of them use these symbols to help them to remember.
Show the communion bread and wine or an image of them.
Time for reflection
Ask the students to listen and reflect as you read out the following poem.
Take time to remember.
Take time to remember the people who have loved you:
The friends you have laughed with,
The family you have lived with,
Those who have really known you and accepted you as you.
Take time to remember the events that have changed you:
The places you have been,
The things you have seen,
The feats you have achieved beyond your wildest dreams.
Take time to remember the beliefs that have shaped you:
The role models who have inspired you,
The encounters that have moulded you,
The truths you have discovered to really set you free.
Take time to remember.
Song/music
‘Remembrance (communion song)’ by Matt Redman, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oCNwIA6xLc (5.47 minutes long)
‘Remembrance’ by Hillsong Worship, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9kbdFCSrFU (5.34 minutes long)
