Blackcurrant Juice?

As you know we left our church recently.  This has been such a traumatic but very eye-opening event and I'd like to be able to somehow put into words some of what I have been feeling and learning.  But I'm not sure I have the brain-power to do that right now.

At the moment we've been visiting a different church each Sunday.

We've visited two local community churches, both with real community spirit and lots going on.   They were both lovely and very friendly.  We've also visited a local Pentecostal church which was fun, but they are an Assemblies of God church which state that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is always evidenced by tongues...I've never spoken in tongues, so I suppose that leaves me out of the picture! :)  Anyway, it's a church that some friends and family attend, the people there are lovely, but I'm not sure it's the church for us.  We can always visit.

This Sunday we are attending our local Anglican church.  This is more for me than Hubs as I really struggle with blackcurrant juice in little cups and bread for communion that we have seen in the other churches. I long for a proper communion (Eucharist) (our old church was Anglican until the Pastor retired and our communion was very similar to a low-Anglican type communion).  The local Anglican church, which we will visit, says it is 'liberal catholic' in style - I'm not sure what that means, but I know they have incense.

What is it with the blackcurrant juice anyway?  I realise the reasoning of having non-alcoholic drinks for communion so that alcoholics can join in, but why blackcurrant juice?  Surely grape-juice would be better or non-alcoholic wine?

I suppose it all depends on your view of the Eucharist/communion and what it all means.  I have always believed in Real Presence, for me communion is more than mere intellectual remembrance, there is something so special about it. I feel a bit icky when it isn't treated reverently...and when there is blackcurrant juice! :)

Maybe I'm being fussy.  I don't know, it's all a big learning curve for me.  And if the family decides they like a church that has blackcurrant juice in tiny cups for communion, then I can always moon-light at the local Anglican every so often.