Introduction

The PCC first discussed the possibility of admitting children to Holy Communion before confirmation in July of 2019. At the time there was a mix of views and a desire to think more deeply about the possibility. Since then there was an education session on the sacraments after the service on the been an education session on the 20th October 2019. The Mission Action Plan, as part of the ‘Involve young people in our worship’ task of the Worshiping God theme of the document, included ‘Review church policy on children and the Eucharist’. In the time since then a number of children have asked why they cannot receive alongside the rest of the church family.
In 2022 a previous version of this document was created and after conversation at the PCC it was made available to the wider congregation with a time allotted for the general congregation to express views and ask questions – there was little interest shown in attending this session. In January 2023 the PCC discussed it again and decided that it needed to spend more time reflecting and talking to members of the congregation before coming to a decision.
For some decades it has been a practice in Church of England parishes that individuals receive communion before confirmation. Once admitted to communion in another church we are obliged to give them communion here. There are also many from other denominations who find their home at All Saints (church and school) and who therefore have already been admitted to communion in their own church and cannot then be denied here.
In a parish with a significant number of children and young people, and a desire to increase the number and depth of engagement of children and young people in our worshipping community (whilst not overlooking the needs of the more mature members of the congregation). There is a strong argument that children and young people should be fully included and welcomed into the life and worship of our parish and that we should therefore seek to nourish their faith with the gift communion. It is well documented that positive experiences and memories of inclusion in church as a child lead to positive engagement with faith in future.

The Proposal

To introduce preparation for first holy communion around the age of 6 and 7 for those who are baptised.
There would be a course of preparation, conducted by the Vicar and/or other leaders for the young people and at least one session for their parents as well.
After the conclusion of the course a special admission to holy communion would be conducted during a parish Eucharist when the young people would be fully take part in communion for the first time.
Once admitted to communion the individual will be given a certificate indicating that they have been admitted to Holy Communion at All Saints’.

Step 3

The PCC will then consider the feedback from the consultation and vote on whether we should apply to the bishop for permission to admit children to Communion. (Late March)

Some History

Children were present in the earliest Christian communities and we know that they were initiated into the faith along with adults. There is no mention of any baptised family members being excluded from the celebration of the Eucharist. For children, as for everyone, membership of the Church was obtained by baptism and thereafter depended on continuing participation in the Eucharist. Over the years, however, children lost their place at the Altar in the Western Church. The Eastern Orthodox Churches continue to admit children to communion from infancy, on the day they are baptised.
From the 16th century to the 19th century the majority of Anglican communicants were admitted to communion not on the basis of confirmation, but of baptism – having had some minimal instruction from the parish priest. It was only in the 19th century that confirmation developed as the “gateway to communion”. As a result, many of us have grown up believing that confirmation has always been a precondition to receiving communion. So for the overwhelming majority of the existence of the Church of England (and indeed the wider Church), receiving communion before confirmation has been the norm. This proposed change would, therefore, mark a return to traditional practice.
Over the last 50 years there has been a growing recognition of the fact that baptism alone is the mark of full membership of the Church and that both adults and children should be admitted to communion on that basis. Following the House of Bishop’s 1995 report On the Way, parishes were encouraged to review their practice and consider admitting children to communion at an earlier age, reserving confirmation as a rite of mature commitment at a later age. This also means there are multiple rites of passage each with some level of age-appropriate preparation.
Guidelines on the admission of children to communion were finally enshrined as Canon Law by the General Synod as the “Admission of Baptised Children to Holy Communion Regulations 2006”. We will need to comply with the requirements of these Regulations if we decide to admit children to communion. Part of these is that once somebody has been admitted to receiving communion they cannot then be denied – which is why some children in our community who have received in another church receive before confirmation.

Why Change?

Children need to belong – research has shown that children in the 6-11 age group enjoy being part of a group, particularly one which contains adults. If they are excluded at this age the church community will suffer from their lack of involvement in their teenage years. Experience of churches that admit children to communion is that these children are more likely to attend church in their teenage years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can children of that age really understand?

Children have an understanding of the specialness of Communion and the importance of it. Referring to it as ‘Jesus Bread’ and recognising that this is distinct from some other meal. In reality the idea that any of us ‘understand’ fully is a mistake, after all, Christ does not choose his followers based on their intelligence or cognitive ability. The recommended age in the Church of England guidelines is 7 years old and this is in line with year 2 at school.

What age will we admit children to holy communion?

The age of 7 is recommended in the Church’s guidelines. Children of this age are also particularly open to and interested in their place and role within the wider society. That said, there is an argument that children could be admitted earlier. We could offer to prepare young people in the academic year they turn 7 (i.e. year 2).

Will the children be serious or reverent enough?


Experience from churches which already follow this practice shows that children identify with the importance of the occasion and of what they are receiving and participate in a way which is reverent within their own perception of what is happening. We know from our own experience of children coming forward for a blessing and those that receive the sacrament that they do take it seriously.

Won’t confirmation disappear?


No, and actually having been a full member of the church, receiving and being nourished by the Eucharist it is an obvious next step for a young person to choose to be confirmed as part of that community. In some cases individuals may wait longer to be confirmed, but the nature of the decision to be confirmed actually increases the significance and importance of the decision. To be confirmed becomes a transition towards adulthood and personally taking responsibility for baptismal vows.

What do the Regulations require?


The Regulations require a vote from the PCC, a plan for preparation of candidates for first communion and permission from the bishop.

Do children drink from the cup?


This is the decision for the parents or guardian of the young person.

What if I don’t want my child to receive or they don’t want to receive?

There is no requirement to be admitted to communion before confirmation. If a family would prefer to wait then they can do that.