Children & Communion

After a long period of consultation with the congregation the PCC decided in 1999 to admit children aged 9 and above to communion before confirmation. Since then the age limit lowered to 7. First they all undergo a six-week course and then decide if it is the right time for them to receive communion. The course concentrates on the theme of belonging to the church and what this involves. There are plenty of activities for the children to enjoy. A favourite is a food-tasting game where they are blindfolded and have to guess the food. This links in with the idea of different foods for special occasions, leading to the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

The children take their first communion with their parents at a special Sunday morning service. All the children take part in the service, some reading lessons and the prayers, others bringing the offertory to the altar or welcoming the congregation as they arrive.

Taking communion is seen by the children as an important part of the life of the church and they want to be involved. They respond well to the seriousness of coming to the altar and receiving the bread and wine and their spirituality is seen and appreciated by the congregation.