A
Toby Story
by
Sheila Foster
Our
family just returned from our St. Luke's camping trip.
We had wonderful weather and spent quality time with our
church family. It was a great experience.
On
Sat. night we decided that we could actually have Eucharist
because my friend Kathy is now ordained and we can do
things like that when she's around.
Very cool.
But
in the process of getting all the kids and adults gathered
at one of the camp sites Toby didn't want to attend, mostly
because of the mosquitoes. I told him he could stay in
our tent if it was going to be an ordeal for him to participate
because it was getting late and if we were going to do
it we needed to finish before the mosquitoes really came
out.
I thought he had gone back to the tent and the next thing
I know he's there by my side asking if he can help hand
out the bread. I told him he'd have to ask Kathy. Kathy
said yes and so Toby placed himself at our picnic table
altar and kept watch over the bread. He sat there through
our collect, through the gospel reading, and through our
reflection, prayers and passing of the peace. Then he
new it was time.
He
placed himself at Kathy's side and held the plate of bread
then as Kathy began the Eucharist response Toby asks "is
it blessed yet?" Kathy responded with a "no, I'll tell
you when." 
Then
when it was time Kathy leaned over to Toby and said "it's
time" and Toby promptly held the bread up high. Then he
said "is it time to break the bread?" Kathy responded
"no, I'll tell you when" When we finished the Lords Prayer
Kathy told Toby it was time.
Toby
got his hands on each side of the bread ready to break
it and Kathy put her hands right above his and they broke
the bread together. Toby was a little annoyed because
he had wanted to break the bread by himself but eventually
recognized that Kathy needed to participate.
Toby
then helped with the distribution but came to me first
and said "What am I supposed to say when I give this to
people?" I thought I'd keep it simple and told him to
say "This bread is given for you" He was very pleased
as he gave each person a very large Toby sized piece of
bread.
After
we had finished our "Thanks be to God" Toby
went on to play with his friends.
Later at our camp site I thought it might be important
to explain to Toby that this was an unique opportunity
to help with the Eucharist in the way he did this night.
I
started out by saying "Toby you know that the blessing
and breaking of the bread ..." and before I could say
another word he said, "... is a very holy thing and a
very holy job ... something that is done by a holy person.
I'm a holy person because I believe in God. I've been
a holy person for a very long time. Mom how long have
I been holy?"
I
replied "since the day you were born." I didn't know what
else to say.
