Jono and Diane Tregale with their children |
Admitting
children to communion. What would it mean? What would it look
like? This page will hopefully answer those questions and give you
the information you want to engage with the rest of our church family on
this issue.
Jono Tregale, Curate
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This page provides information on the process for discussing the issue of
children and communion. The process is run by the church
council and is being led by Jono Tregale. We'll add information as it becomes available.
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News
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| 15 November 2009 |
Read an update on the process below
and note their will be an open meeting on Monday 23 November at 8pm in
church. |
| 14 November 2009 |
Draft policy document
available for download as .pdf files. Choose either the one-page summary
of the six-page full
version of the draft. |
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Following our last update on this the PCC has now produced a draft policy for admitting children to communion before confirmation. This is something the PCC have been exploring since March and has taken place alongside sermons on baptism and communion, an open meeting in October and regular invitations to make comments, ask questions or raise concerns. Many thanks to those who have contributed so far.
There has been a positive response so far to encourage us to proceed with the process but it is far from a ‘done deal’. Now that we have a draft policy we all have the opportunity to see what admitting children to communion could mean in practice. Some of the key issues we’ve tried to address include the importance of appropriate preparation for admission to communion, strategies for children who come to church without their parents, provision for those with special needs, and how we maintain the significance of confirmation. In fact the PCC are confident that admitting children to communion before confirmation will actually strengthen the process of discipleship, of children and young people growing in faith, with clear ‘milestones’ in their journeys with God.
It’s important to say also that a decision by the PCC to adopt this policy simply means that as a church we would make it possible for un-confirmed children to take communion – subject always to parental choice and after appropriate preparation. No child will ‘have to’. Some families may chose to continue with the traditional pattern of waiting until confirmation to receive communion.
The draft policy is available on thise website (follow the link higher up
the page) and an open meeting will be held on Monday 23rd November at 8pm in Church. This provides a clear opportunity to make any further comments about the policy and how it will be implemented – in order to help the PCC arrive at a final decision. If you can’t make the meeting and you have any questions or concerns then do
get in touch with Jono Tregale or Eddie
Mason instead.
If following this meeting the PCC decide to proceed with the policy it will be sent to the Bishop for approval in the New Year with the admission of children to communion first taking place around Easter-time.
Until then there will be no change in current practice: anyone who is baptised and has been in the habit of receiving communion (either on the basis of confirmation or past practice in other churches) will receive communion, whilst those who are not yet confirmed and who haven’t been receiving communion previously will continue to be offered a blessing instead. We would ask that families come up to the communion rail together and that those receiving communion hold their hands out and those receiving a blessing keep their hands at their sides. Knowing that some children find it hard to keep their hands still, if necessary, we will ask parents what to offer to their child.
Looking forward to seeing you at the open meeting and hearing your comments!
Jono Tregale, Curate |
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