Parish of Leatherhead - Communion Before Confirmation

July magazine 2005
A Consultation Meeting for parishes, Admitting Children to Communion before Confirmation, was held at The Education Centre on 24 May. In the Guildford Diocese, 37 parishes, out of 165, have adopted this policy. It began in Manchester and Southwark in the 1980s where there are now 100 and 133 parishes respectively admitting children.

This meeting was held to brief the new Bishop on where we are at in this Diocese. A mixture of parishes was represented, ranging from those who have recently admitted their first four children to those who have admitted many children over several years. In Leatherhead, we have admitted 19 children over five years.

The principal issue is seen as one of inclusion - Communion is a meal that we share together - and research among children reveals that they feel left out by being excluded and therefore included by being admitted to Communion.

The level of instruction/preparation varies in parishes, from a whole Saturday morning session to a comprehensive series. Various resources were on display but the overriding requirement is felt to be the enthusiasm of the Course Leader and their ability to adapt the teaching material to the ages and abilities of the children.

Concern was expressed that the minimum age of 10 years, adopted by many parishes, is too high, as a younger child could more easily be ready for the preparation than an older child; the Bishop's guideline is seven years. Also, if the theology is correct, then a person becomes a member of the Church at Baptism, which precludes any age limit being imposed. The original guideline of seven years old was introduced merely as a means of bringing in the change gradually to gain wider acceptance. Those churches which adopt Infant Dedication (followed by adult immersion Baptism), as opposed to Infant Christening/Baptism, have yet to resolve this difference and how this impacts on children and Communion.

Involvement of the parents is considered of importance, with non-church parents perhaps attending a Baptism prepara tion course to encourage commitment and development. One parish has sought "sponsors" from the congregation to support an individual child and their family by praying for and encouraging them. Post-admission, it is felt that children should be given responsible roles within the life of the church, e.g. prayer team, welcome group etc as the closing sentence of the Communion service is "to love and serve the Lord".

Whilst this inclusive involvement may go some way to retaining children, the importance of parishes being willing to provide services in a style, and with appropriate content, suitable for their needs was considered paramount. It was confirmed that a child admitted in one parish is thereby entitled to receive Communion in any other parish.

The presentation of a suitable certificate to this effect is being considered, although parishes are welcome to create their own. If you have any questions relating to this subject, I will be pleased to help. Chris Stagg, Sunday Club