Elgin church offers drive-through communion

By Brian Hill

bhill@dailyherald.com

This was the second year First Congregational United Church of Christ in downtown Elgin offered drive-through communion on Maundy Thursday, and many more people made use of it.

A slow but steady stream of vehicles flowed into the church's parking lot off Chicago Street Thursday morning.

Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus' last supper in the Catholic tradition. Last year, it was marked by snow, sleet and rain, and "was really a bust," Senior Pastor Paris Donehoo said.

"We had about 10 cars total last year," said the Rev. Lois Bucher, associate pastor.

Bucher came up with the idea of drive-through communion after seeing many churches offer drive-through ashes and ashes "to go" at local train stations.

"We're not trying to reinvent the wheel," Donehoo said. "We are really just trying to let people know that we are here, and plant the seed."

The pair also had a pop-up shelter set up in case of rain later in the day.