A new policy for admission to Holy Communion

St. Cuthbert's Church Policy for Admission to Holy Communion

1. Children and adults are equally made members of the Body of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism. Because children are members of the one family of Christ, they should be able to share the family table. This policy applies only to the baptised.

2. The Sacrament of Holy Communion needs to be approached with reverence, and therefore children need an appropriate level of maturity in their faith and understanding. Young people will therefore be prepared for receiving the Sacrament before being admitted to Communion, and this will normally take place around the age of 7 or 8, with the judgements of the clergy, parents, and Children's Church leaders being taken into account. The preparation course will be shared by young people's leaders, Readers, and clergy.

3. The Sacrament of Holy Communion relates the Christian to regular participation in the life of the People of God. Young people who are admitted will normally have been attending Church for at least six months before they are prepared. The admission of young people to Holy Communion will normally take place on a Sunday, festival or holy day in the Church's calendar.

4. Just as children are baptised on the understanding that their parents will nurture them in the life of faith, worship and prayer, so they are admitted to Communion as members of households that share and practice Christian discipleship. Normally children who are admitted to Communion will have at least one parent or sponsor who is a regular communicant member of the Church. (A sponsor is a relative, guardian, or interested person who has regular contact with the church and the young person).

5. The admission of children to Holy Communion should be marked with the giving of a certificate and/or the endorsement of the Baptism certificate. All admissions should be recorded in a register for that purpose.

6. All Christians continue to grow in their faith. Continuing nurture for young people will be provided through our church's work with children and Sunday School, and those admitted to Communion will have special opportunity provided to reflect on and grow in their understanding of the Sacrament.

7. Members of the Church are witnesses for Christ. Confirmation, at an appropriate stage in their life, will provide them with the opportunity to make their own public profession of faith, and to receive the gifts of grace needed for a life of adult discipleship. Because of the emphasis on this being their own mature profession of faith, it may be left till their teenage years, and may be more appropriate in adulthood.

Policy approved by the Bishop of Durham
& adopted by the PCC of St. Cuthbert's, Benfieldside in February 2002