The communion token bears a particularly resonant association in the Stone-Campbell religious tradition. The token, used by many religious communities in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, was especially ubiquitous in the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian). It was required to be presented by communicants as evidence of their worthiness, after examination by the elders of the church, to receive the Lord’s Supper.

In 2009 DCHS and the Stone-Campbell community held a yearlong celebration of the bicentennial of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address, culminating in Great Communion services in many countries around the world on October 4, 2009. 2009 also marked the 200th anniversary of another milestone in Stone-Campbell history:

While attending the University of Glasgow, Alexander Campbell in May 1809 prepared to participate in the church’s annual observance of the Lord’s Supper. When it came his turn to present his token and receive the elements Campbell returned his token to the elders and declined to take communion. When he was reunited with his father Thomas in America 3 months later he found that they had reached similar conclusions in rejecting the claims of any church that proclaimed its doctrine and practice as the only approach to God.

As we conclude the bicentennial year of the Declaration and Address this small silver object gives another reminder for the year of the power and significance of Christ’s invitation to communion with him and each other.