Children and Holy Communion
“We are the body of Christ….”
Children, Adults and Holy Communion in the Parish of Penn Fields
The story so far….
Remember back to Lent 2008. We spent a wonderful five week period exploring Holy Communion across the ages and across the parish. In our Sunday services, in midweek events, at the Maundy Thursday “Sedar” meals, we developed our understanding and deepened our experience of this most amazing act of worship. “Take eat, this is my body….” “Drink this in remembrance of me…” Jesus stands at the centre of the meal and the heart of our worship, inviting us to come to Him and receive all that he wants to give us. We reflected on the words of one writer who said
“For some, communion is a sleep hour in which bread is eaten and wine is drunk and the soul never stirs. It wasn’t intended to be as such. It was intended to be an I-can’t-believe-it’s-me-pinch-me-I’m-dreaming invitation to sit at God’s table and be served by the King himself.” (Mac Lucado)
Since then it’s been wonderful to see people of all ages enter into Holy Communion with greater understanding and deeper experience. In services across the parish, in churches and homes, we have been faithful to the Lord’s call to “do this in remembrance of me”.
Children and Holy Communion….
These discussions coincided with extensive discussions which the PCC have been having for some time about children receiving Holy Communion. You may know that since 1996 many dioceses across the country have been allowing children who are baptised to receive communion before confirmation. In fact many other denominations across the world and across historical traditions have been doing this for some time. What the Church of England are effectively saying is that baptism Ü communion Ü confirmation is a legitimate journey of developing faith for children alongside the inherited tradition of baptism Ü confirmation Ü communion which most of us adults were brought up within. In 2005 Bishop Jonathan invited parishes in Lichfield diocese to discuss whether they would like to admit children to Holy Communion before confirmation, and we have spent three years since then exploring this.
PCC Discussions….
The PCC committed time, patience and energy into this process, aided by considerable hard work and input from a small group of people. (The two main documents – with much fuller background and theological thinking – are available on the website www.saintjosephs.co.uk, or on paper by request.) At the end of our discussions, which were considerably helped by the 2008 Lent course, the PCC agreed to make a request to Bishop Jonathan to allow children to receive Holy Communion before confirmation in Penn Fields Parish. Bishop Jonathan has agreed to this, saying “I am most grateful for the conscientious and imaginative way in which you and the PCC have tackled this question, and am delighted to give my permission for children to be admitted to confirmation before communion in your parish.” He also recommended our process as a model for other parishes to follow.
We have delayed taking action on this up to now, particularly given the employment of two full-time workers with children and families in the parish. But as 2009 begins we now believe the time is ripe to take action and implement this policy.
The Process from here…
We are now inviting each family who is part of Penn Fields Parish to consider whether they would like their children to receive Holy Communion. The PCC have agreed the following guidelines:
The place of the family….
The family is at the heart of this process, involving parents, children, and other adults who are responsible for the spiritual development of children and young people. We would expect those children considering this step to be regular and committed worshippers in the life of the churches. This would normally involve attendance at Sunday group activities, though may include other midweek and extra events taking place in the life of the parish. If children are not baptised the staff team would explore the place and importance of baptism as part of one’s journey of faith with the child and the family. We recognise the diversity of opinions which exist about where baptism fits into ongoing discipleship, and would want to show understanding towards those who by conviction see baptism as more adult public declaration of faith.
How old….?
Many people have asked about suitable age for children to receive Holy Communion. We want to leave that up to the wisdom and discretion of the family. Some dioceses and churches have an agreed age limit, ie 7, but others would express that very young children can and do appreciate the specialness of holy communion, and that such children can grow in understanding by regular experience of the Lord’s table. It is often the 2,3 and 4 year olds who put up their hands at the rail in imitation of the adults, because they wish to join in and that is an appropriate response for them because at that age faith is expressed and learned by imitating others.
Getting Ready….
There will be four Sundays each year or so where there is specific input on Holy Communion for all the Sunday children groups. (Not just for those considering receiving Holy Communion before confirmation.) This means that there is regular and focussed input on The Lord’s table for all children and young people in the lives of the churches, based on good quality age-related material. These Sundays would normally take place in preparation for the two major festivals of Pentecost and Advent, i.e. two weeks in the early summer and two weeks in November. The children would take home a “summary worksheet” with some things to think through and activities to engage in. This will also include the option for parents to explore whether it be right for a child to be admitted to Holy Communion before confirmation, and a means to discuss that more formally should they wish.
“Yes”, “Not yet”, “No”…
This will be then followed by a four-way discussion, involving the child, the parents (or other adult figure who is spiritually responsible), the leader of the Sunday group, and an authorised member of clergy / staff team etc. This is not necessarily in the same room and at the same time! Particularly between the child, parents and staff team, we judge this to be an excellent opportunity to meet with the family as a whole and to work through issues of faith and discipleship with them. From the child we are looking for an age-appropriate indication of spiritual maturity and readiness to receive Holy Communion. The outcome of this discussion – after prayer and reflection – may be “no”, or “not yet”, or “yes”…. We wholeheartedly affirm the right of families to discern that their children are not yet ready to receive Holy Communion or who would like more time to reflect on this important issue.
Receiving Holy Communion…
Where appropriate we would then admit children to their first communion. These “first communion” services would be on or near Pentecost in the early summer, and Advent Sunday in the late autumn. We would mark their occasion suitably, eg certificate, prayer, testimony etc. A formal record will be kept of all children in the parish who have been admitted to Holy Communion. Each local church in the parish will be thinking through some other practical issues in terms of greater involvement in Eucharistic Worship and the use of grape juice instead of wine.
Keep on growing….
This is part of an ongoing process of discipleship for children, young people and adults, as week by week we grow into the likeness of Christ. The place of confirmation is affirmed as an maturing profession of Christian faith, and a commitment of oneself to the work and service of God’s church, and so our expectation and prayer is that young people be confirmed by the age of 18.
We believe this is something really important in the life of the three churches in the parish. Do please pray for us and with us as we seek to implement this policy. If you’d like to know more please speak to a member of the staff team.
