Admission to the Holy Communion should arise out of a persons faith development and not be simply a response to parental or peer pressure. In considering a person’s admission the following guidelines should be observed.
1. Qualifications for receiving Holy Communion
1.1 Chronological age should not be a determining factor. Children should be considered for admission when they and their parents think they are ready.
1.2 The person must have been Baptised and evidence of Baptism produced. If Not confirmed, please do not worry. You can discuss this with the Tam Vicar for your Church in the Parish who can explain the process and even arrange for the Baptism to take pace first.
1.3 In the case of a child parental consent must be obtained.
1.4 Normally at least one of a child’s parents should be a regular communicant.
However, if neither is, a child who attends church regularly may be admitted if a suitable sponsor can be found. Parental consent to this arrangement is required.
1.5 A register will be kept of those admitted to the Holy Communion, and they will receive a Certificate (or an endorsement of their Certificate of Baptism).
1.6 The decision to admit a person to the Holy Communion will rest with the Team Vicar for the Church in the Parish after consultation with those responsible for their preparation and, where applicable, their parents.
1.7 Those once admitted to the Holy Communion must not anywhere in the Church of England be excluded from it. They should therefore be provided with a letter explaining their communicant status, if they move to another Parish.
2 Preparation
2.1 Children wishing to receive Holy Communion will receive preparation in a form approved by the Team Vicar for the Church in the Parish.
2.2 Parents and sponsors will be involved in this preparation in an appropriate way.
2.3 The spiritual nurture of all children at the Parish of East Ham will be fostered particularly through the activities of the Sunday School/Club taking place at the same time as the Ministry of the Word section of the Parish Communion at each Church in the Parish.
For a general core course of Christian nurture it is intended to use material from The Good News Bible amongst other suitable material chosen by the Clergy. For more specific teaching on Baptism, the Holy Communion, the story of the Last Supper, the concept of forgiveness and the grace of the Holy Spirit will be included as well as material from a number of sources which will be explained by the Team Vicar.
The teaching will be continuous and will be kept under regular review. Signs of understanding and desire on the part of the child are important criteria if they are to proceed to the Communion.
2.4 It will be expected that children admitted to the Holy Communion will continue to take part in the Church’s programme of teaching and nurture.
2.5 The case of adults wishing to receive Holy Communion is covered in paragraph 4.4
3 Implications for Worship
3.1 It will be made clear to the Parish and its Congregations that children are welcome to receive Holy Communion whenever it is celebrated.
3.2 Children who attend the Sunday School/Club will join the Communion service before the Eucharistic Prayer.
3.3 Children will normally receive communion with their parents or sponsor.
4 Confirmation
4.1 Confirmation will be presented as the occasion on which people make their own mature profession of faith.
4.2 There will be no fixed age for being confirmed; it will depend on the candidate’s desire for it.
4.3 A young person who has been admitted to the Holy Communion and has not sought confirmation by the age of sixteen will be encouraged to consider it, but will in any case continue to be welcome to receive.
4.4 Adults wishing to receive the Holy Communion before being confirmed will be welcome to do so after conversation with the Clergy, but will be encouraged to seek confirmation.
4.5 Baptised people with learning difficulties will be offered preparation suitable for their needs and welcomed at the Holy Communion.
4.6 Baptised communicants from other churches are welcome to receive communion in our churches. If they intend to do so on a regular basis, those who have been episcopally confirmed will be encouraged to be received into the Church of England; those who have not will be encouraged to seek confirmation.
All of this may seem far too difficult to understand – it is not complicated. Please arrange to speak with one of our Team Vicars who will happily take you through the processes and put your mind at rest on any queries, or questions you may have.
Arrangements to meet one of our Team Vicars should, in the first instance be made to our Parish Office (020 8470 0011 – mailto:easthamparish@tiscali.co.uk), at St Bartholomew’s Church & Centre, E6, irrespective of whether for St Bart’s or St Mary Magdalene.
Books about Confirmation which may be of interest - (Available from Church House):
* How do we know God? * Why is Jesus' death important? * How do I pray? * Do I have to go to Church to be a Christian?
In our journey through life we are often confronted with big questions. What is the purpose of life? Why do people have to die? What happens after death? Where do we look to find an answer to these questions? Christians through the years have turned towards the Bible and the Church for answers.
Faith Confirmed is an introduction to what Anglican Christians believe. It is written for people intending to be confirmed into the Anglican Church and for all those who want to know more about the essentials of the Christian faith. It helps people learn about the key elements of Christian belief in an interesting and enjoyable way. Each section of the book contains a clear explanation of what Anglicans believe, illustrative stories that explore the meaning of those beliefs, questions encouraging the reader to think the issues through, Bible study and opportunities for prayer and reflection. The reader is encouraged to apply beliefs to everyday life.
What does it really mean to be a Christian? How can the life of a man who lived 2000 years ago have any relevance today? And when it comes to reading the Bible, just where do you start?
Nick Aitken guides readers through the basics of Christianity so that they are clear about what wanting to follow Jesus actually means.
This book is for young people preparing for confirmation, and for older readers who wish to be reminded of the promises they made at the time of their own public commitment to Christ.
