News

May 2007

The Reverend Philip Banks writes

Admission of Children to Holy Communion

At the end of this month, along with the church across the world, we will be celebrating Pentecost, traditionally known as Whitsun – when we recall the coming of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus. The celebration is often called the ‘birthday of the church’, for the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to move out of the fear of upper room to begin the mission and ministry which had been entrusted to them: to proclaim the Good News – the “Gospel” – of Jesus Christ to the world.

The Holy Spirit changed the disciples’ lives then – and continues to change lives today. Indeed, over the years, the Holy Spirit has constantly guided the church to change and to stay fresh in its ministry, liturgy, music and mission. Hildegard of Bingen describes the Holy Spirit as the face of God which brings to us “greenness and freshness”.

A number of significant changes have enhanced the church’s ministry over the centuries – you will be able to think of many yourself – everything from the introduction, by Archbishop Cranmer in the 16^th century, of a ‘modern language’ Prayer Book, to the Ordination of women or the provision for re-marriage of divorcees in church in more recent times. Another important change – to do with the way in which we welcome children into our churches – has also now been adopted by the Church of England.

Since the 1970s, the Church of England’s General Synod has been debating the merits of allowing children to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion before Confirmation, as is normal practice in many Anglican Provinces and also in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. After much prayerful and theological debate, the Church of England last year published national regulations, allowing children to receive Communion before they are Confirmed. These new rules in no way diminish the sacrament of Confirmation – indeed, this ministry, and that of Confirmation, are both an outworking of Baptism: the grace of God is offered to us through both these ministries. The regulations do, however, clearly set out the procedure which parishes must follow, including provision for proper preparation courses for those children whose parents are happy for them to make their ‘First Communion’.

As you read this, you will, I am sure, be thinking of lots of questions about the change. How would it affect St Peter’s? Is there an ‘age limit’? What about adults who have not yet been Confirmed? What sort of preparation will there be for children, and how will it differ from Confirmation courses?

To help us move forward, Paul White (who is preparing for his Ordination in 2008) will lead an evening workshop at 7.30pm on Tuesday 22^nd May, to begin to answer some of these questions. Please do come along and join with PCC members at the evening – it will be a chance to hear how this is being adopted elsewhere, and to discuss any questions that there might be. Having heard views and received more information, the PCC will meet at a later date to discuss the matter, and make decisions about responding to this change.

Cardinal Newman wrote in the nineteenth century that “to change is to grow”. As we celebrate Pentecost this year – the festival of the ‘birthday of the church’ – may we give thanks for the life-changing gift of the Holy Spirit, and may we know for ourselves God’s power to change us and help us to be the church and people that he would have us be.

With prayers and best wishes,