The oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere is the Mikve synagogue on the island of Curacao. It dates to the year 1732. Every day they sprinkle sand on the floor as a reminder of the years their ancestors wandered in the Desert of Sinai on their way from bondage in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land. They thought a visible symbol would aid the memory. So it is for us in communion. We believe the visible symbols of the bread and the cup keep fresh for us the memory of our freedom from sin and our hope for a better promised land made possible by the torn body and shed blood of Jesus Christ.
