Children and Communion

1. Contact the team in the first instance; click here for the contacts page.
2. Enable a substantial discussion at PCC, perhaps using an outside speaker.
3. Allow plenty of time for discussion, reflection and prayer, involving children’s leaders and the whole congregation.
4. Move to a PCC decision.
5. Prepare a teaching programme for children and their parents, as well as a programme of continuing learning for the children after admission.
6. Consider the implications for your pattern of services, the liturgy, the participation of all ages and your baptism policy and preparation.
7. Communicate with the Diocesan Adviser and, once she has agreed that you have gone through steps 1-6, write to the Bishop asking for permission to admit children to Holy Communion before Confirmation.
8. Plan a date on which to admit the children, and deliver your preparation sessions.
9. Plan the service at which admission will take place for the first time.
10. Record the children’s names in a register.
11. Give each child a certificate as an official record (available here).

Click here to download this list

2015 regulations regarding who can administer Holy Communion

New regulations came into force on 1 October 2015, to allow the authorising of children who have been confirmed to administer Holy Communion. Any such scheme would have to be authorised by the Bishop. In parishes, the PCC need to agree. In schools, the Headteacher needs to agree.

Click here for the 2015 regulations, Bishop’s Guidelines for lay administration of holy communion and a model pro-forma authority for lay administration of holy communion.

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