Welcome to Communion
Welcome to Communion is a rite of the Anglican, which afterwards allows children from 7 years of age upwards to receive Holy Communion in both kinds (the bread and the wine).
Parents are asked to talk and decide if they feel that their child is ready to take both the bread and the wine and then talk to the child to see if they feel ready.
Parents can then fill out a contact us form on this website (up the top of the page, click on contact us and the form will come up) or, talk to the Parish Priest.
If the child is ready and the Parish Priest is available to make a time, then they will arrange a suitable time for Welcome to Communion lessons to begin. Please make sure that you are also, as a parent to stay while we have each lesson, for safe ministry reasons.
The child will meet once a week, for 4-6 weeks with the Parish Priest to talk about Holy Communion, the names of the items that are used at Holy Communion, and what it means to be a part of a community. They will be given a workbook to fill out between lessons. The workbook is engaging and fun, with colouring in, things to think about and words to write. The Parish Priest will talk through what the child has worked on with the child and expand a little more each week.
We understand that things happen. The priest maybe urgently called away or the child or a parent may be unwell etc. things happen that are out of our control. in this case, there will be a fair attempt to make up for the missed lesson as quickly as possible, so they stay on track.
Once the Parish Priest is satisfied with the child's progress, a date will be made for the Welocme to Communion rite to be done during the Holy Communion Service, after the Great Thankgiving Prayer but before the Priest distributes the Communion (bread and wine), so that when everyone else is coming up for Holy Communion, they can gather with the child and they will be given communion first as a sign of importance and respect for this rite of passage.
The child will then be given Holy Communion. this can happen in one of two ways. the parents may wish the child to only have the bread, or to have the bread dipped into (intinction) the wine for them. We will respect the parents wishes about this.
It is a day of great celebration in our community, so please stay for morning tea after the service and we look forward to seeing you and the child as much as possible. Please feel free to talk to the Parish Priest at any time, if you have concerns or questions.
