Comments on: Sacrament Cups: Paper or Plastic?

By: Edwin Werntz

Edwin Werntz — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:25:26 +0000

where do we now order sacrament cups. plastic

By: Derek

Derek — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:01:36 +0000

How about just blessing some pitchers, and have the members bring their own cups? The deacons would bring the pitchers to each row and pour a small amount in each cup. Since the members will be using the same cup each time, and only water goes in them, they won’t need to clean them every time, and there’s nothing to throw away or compost.

By: Robert Daniel

Robert Daniel — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:37:06 +0000

My preference would be for PLA plastic cups providing that the correct recycling infrastructure is in place - if used at events etc then they need to be sorted seperatly from the rest of the rubbish in order to be recycled correctly. Paper cups can simply exasperate the problem of deforestation unless a renewal and replanting scheme is in effect.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:48:57 +0000

Quick non-Mormon comment here: at my usual service, we all take communion out of the same big chalice. There are a few reasons we don’t all get sick. The holder rotates the cup slightly after each drink, so everyone isn’t drinking from the same spot on the rim, and wipes it after each use. People only take a small sip, too. The biggest reason, however, is probably that in the Anglican communion service the element is usually a fairly strong wine, so the alcohol has a disinfectant effect.

I think part of the reason we do it this way is to emulate the events of the Last Supper. (Or, to name it more optimistically, the First Communion!)

One nice possibility for a renewable LDS sacrament service might be to provide the water in small glass or china cups which are replaced in the cup holders after use, washed, immersed in hot water, then reused for the next service. This would also eliminate the nasty taste and feel of paper cups, as well as making them easier to withdraw and hold. (Maybe toughened plastic would be better; less chance of breaking or chipping.)

By: Minerva

Minerva — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:36:34 +0000

I love the clink of plastic cups in metal trays.

I grew up in a ward where there was a separate cylinder passed around to put the cups in. The tray was just a tray, not a tray+used cup repository. Sad was the day when we switched to standard issue.

By: G

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:51:29 +0000

I had never encounter paper cup before going on my mission to the US. The difference I have seen was that when I was a child the cups were white plastic and when I was a teenager (I think) they became clear plastic.
I never thought about all the ways to have fun with the little paper cup. Dang I do have missed something by not growing up in the US ;o)

By: David

David — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:54:35 +0000

Perhaps not, cj, but on Fast Sunday you can gnaw on the paper more discreetly.

By: cj douglass

cj douglass — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:28:34 +0000

I’m a little surprised that people assume paper is better for the environment. I doubt the church uses paper cups made from a recycled material. That equals a lot of trees….

By: makakona

makakona — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:35:09 +0000

man, i’ve missed this blog! somehow, you fell off of my reader and i forgot about y’all till tonight! many comments made me chuckle, but #12 made me laugh loud enough to wake the dog.

paper, for sure. the plastic is awkward to drink out of and, of course, worse for the environment.

i’ve never lived OUTSIDE of the states and have seen plastic sacrament trays several times. i’m thinking our wards in hawai’i used them? although some argue that hawai’i IS outside of the states… @@

By: meems

meems — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:43:52 +0000

Paper. I’m a paper squisher myself, and I also don’t like the idea of all that plastic going into the garbage. They do throw them away don’t they? They don’t wash them, right?

There was a guy in my ward in Japan who had his own cup. He would drink out of his own cup every week. I thought that might be a good deal.