THE ADMISSION OF CHILDREN TO HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE CONFIRMATION

THE ADMISSION OF CHILDREN TO HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE CONFIRMATION REGULATIONS FOR NORWICH DIOCESE JANUARY 2007

FOREWORD I am very happy to commend these regulations to you, and I am very grateful to all those who have given their time and attention to this revision, especially Steven Betts and Tricia Elson. About a fifth of all parishes in the diocese have so far decided to commit themselves to present children for communion before confirmation. It should be no easy decision since it involves a significant investment in the wider nurture of children in the Christian faith. Receiving the sacrament needs to be accompanied by a programme of Christian education and formation if maturity in faith is to be achieved. Of course, this is as true for adults as it is for children themselves. As so often, it may be our children who show us the way. That is in keeping with the teaching of Jesus himself (Mark 10.15). If you are in possession of any previous guidelines, please destroy them and replace them with these regulations. The fact that they have become regulations indicates that communion before confirmation is now a well established practice within the Church of England. The future of our Church depends on the way in which we communicate the faith to succeeding generations and I pray God s blessing on all our endeavours in reaching our children with the gospel of God s love. +Graham Norvic: The Rt. Revd. Graham James Lord Bishop of Norwich 1

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CHILDREN Children who have been baptised but who have not yet been confirmed, and who are not yet ready and desirous to be confirmed, may be admitted to Holy Communion provided that the conditions set out in the following regulations are satisfied. THE PCC AND WIDER CONGREGATION All PCCs within the benefice, and the wider congregation, must discuss the admission of baptised children to Holy Communion before Confirmation. It is important that the whole church understands the issues regardless of the decision the PCC make. Once admitted, children, so long as they remain in good standing with the church, should not anywhere be deprived of the sacrament. Such children may visit or attend the church at any time and the PCC and wider congregation must be prepared for this. PARISHES PREVIOUSLY GRANTED PERMISSION TO ADMIT CHILDREN TO HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE CONFIRMATION Under the new Regulations, parishes who have previously received permission from the Bishop of Norwich under the diocesan guidelines issued 2003, must re-apply using the form found on pages 9/10. Parishes must not admit further children to Holy Communion before Confirmation until permission under the new Regulations has been granted. Children previously admitted have the right to continue to receive communion. RESOURCES The Diocesan Youth & Children s Resource Centre holds a range of material, available on loan, for the preparation and ongoing nurture of children and young people. Contact the Diocesan Youth and Children s Office see page 12 for contact details. CERTIFICATES A Certificate pro-forma may be copied from page 13 of this booklet; it can also be obtained from the Diocesan Youth & Children s Office or downloaded from the Diocesan website see page 12 for website details. A pro-forma for a small certificate, suitable for the keeping in a purse or wallet, can also be copied from page 13 or sent to you by email. This may be useful for children when they are visiting, and taking communion, at other churches. 3

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THE REGULATIONS 1. Permission must be obtained from the Diocesan Bishop before a parish can admit any child to Holy Communion before Confirmation. Application must be made in writing and accompanied by a copy of the minuted PCC resolution in support of the application. An application form can be found on page 9/10. Once granted the permission will remain in force unless and until revoked by the Diocesan Bishop. 2. Before permission is sought, the admittance of children to Holy Communion before Confirmation must be discussed fully by the PCC and with the wider congregation, and agreed and minuted by the PCC. To assist your discussions, the Diocesan Youth & Children s Office can supply a list of parishes with Bishop s Permission to Admit; your Area Bishop could also offer advice. 3. In a multi-parish benefice, before any of the PCCs seek permission from the Bishop, it is essential that all the PCCs are informed and discuss the issue fully. 4. Before the Bishop gives permission to a parish he will require assurance that the policy has been agreed by the PCC of that parish and discussed fully with the wider congregation other PCCs within a multi-parish benefice, or partners within a Local Ecumenical Partnership, have been fully consulted there is a child protection policy in place those with parental responsibility are content that the child should be admitted The parish has made adequate provision for the child s preparation and continuing nurture in the Christian life, and will encourage any child admitted to Holy Communion under these regulations to be Confirmed at the appropriate time. 5. Children should be regularly involved in ongoing Christian nurture. 6. Children to be admitted will normally be those who are not yet ready for Confirmation but are ready to receive the sacramental signs of God s love given in Holy Communion. Both the child, and those having parental responsibility, should be encouraged to see Confirmation as the next step in the Christian journey. This must be emphasised in discussions. 7. Those with parental responsibility for the child must be consulted and should be content that the child is admitted. Otherwise, subject to any direction of the Bishop, it is within the Incumbent s absolute discretion to decide whether, and if so when, any child should first be admitted to Holy Communion. A parental permission form can be found on page 7. 5

8. Before a child can be admitted to Holy Communion before Confirmation their baptism must be verified. 9. It is important that children are supported as they grow in Christ and ideally this will come from those with parental responsibility, and the nurturing body to which they belong. Where this is not forthcoming, the church must accept this responsibility. 10. Admission to Holy Communion should be marked before the whole congregation. A form of liturgy can be obtained from the Diocesan Youth & Children s Office. If a child is admitted to Holy Communion at their Baptism, then this recognition should be included in the Baptism service. 11. Each child must be given a certificate, signed by the priest who admitted them, giving the date of admission. Certificates can be obtained from the Diocesan Youth & Children s Office, the Diocesan website or copied from page 13. 12. Names of children admitted to Holy Communion before Confirmation must be recorded. This may be in a separate register which should be held securely with other parish registers. 13. No baptised person, who has once been admitted to Holy Communion and remains in good standing with the church, should anywhere be deprived of the sacrament. It follows that, if a communicant child moves to another parish, the new Incumbent should be informed. 14. Where, during the Liturgy of the Word, there is separate teaching for children, communicant children should regularly be present in the main assembly for the Liturgy of the Sacrament. 15. Children with special needs must not be excluded from admission to Holy Communion; they should be given the opportunity to experience the sacramental signs of God s love. The church should, in consultation with those having parental responsibility, discover ways in which a child s spiritual life can best be nurtured. 16. There is no minimum or maximum age for the admission of children to Holy Communion. Neither is there a minimum age for Confirmation, although it would be appropriate for the presenting minister to seek guidance from the Bishop if candidates are under ten years old. The admission of children to Holy Communion should not unduly delay Confirmation. Confirmation candidates must be able to answer for themselves; a child admitted to Holy Communion at the age of 7 may be more than ready for Confirmation at 11. An arbitrary imposition of a minimum age for Confirmation or admission to Holy Communion would be unhelpful. 6

DIOCESE OF NORWICH PARENTAL CONSENT FOR ADMISSION OF A BAPTISED CHILD TO HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE CONFIRMATION This form must be completed by the person with parental responsibility for the child wishing to be admitted to Holy Communion before Confirmation. The Child Name: Address:...... Postcode:... Date of Birth: Date of Baptism*: *Please provide Baptism Certificate or other evidence of baptism Person with Parental Responsibility Name: Address:...... Postcode:... I confirm that: I will support my child in his/her Christian journey I will help and encourage him/her to attend the preparation sessions I will help and encourage him/her to continue to receive regular Christian teaching I consent to my child being admitted to Holy Communion before Confirmation Signed:. Date:... Please return this form to: 7

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DIOCESE OF NORWICH ADMISSION OF BAPTISED PERSONS TO HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE CONFIRMATION APPLICATION FORM Parish(es) *Please list all parishes in the benefice that are included..... Deanery. Incumbent. Consultation Have all PCCs in the benefice discussed this subject in the light of the Regulations? Yes No What was the outcome? How has the wider congregation been involved in the discussion (including any LEP established under Canon B44, or other participating churches)? What was the outcome? What other guidance or advice has been sought (if any)? Preparation How will the preparation of children for Holy Communion be organised? Who will lead the preparation and what training will they be given? What teaching materials will be used? How will the children s nurture towards Confirmation continue after they have been admitted to Holy Communion? 9

Pastoral Matters How will those with parental responsibility be involved in the preparation of their children for Holy Communion? What strategy do you have for families who do not wish their children to be admitted to Holy Communion? What strategy do you have for children who come to church without their responsible adult? What provision will be made for the nurture of children with learning difficulties who wish to receive Holy Communion? How will children be involved and affirmed as members of the Christian community: Within the Eucharist? In non-eucharistic worship? In social events? Child Protection Do you have a child protection policy in place? Yes No Is it regularly reviewed? Yes No Please confirm: Each child will be given a Certificate of Admission Yes No A register of children so admitted will be kept Yes No A copy of each minuted PCC resolution is included with this application. Yes No Signed:. (Incumbent) Date:.. Return this form to: Rt Revd Graham James Lord Bishop of Norwich Bishop s House Norwich NR3 1SB 10

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HELPLINES Diocesan Youth & Children s Office and Resource Centre Administrator: Tricia Elson Monday - Thursday, 9.00am - 4.30pm triciaelson@norwich.anglican.org 01603 266316 (or 01603 737215 option 4) Co-ordinator: Val Khambatta manager@horsteadcentre.org.uk 01603 737215 (option 5) The Horstead Centre Rectory Road Horstead Norwich NR12 7EP Diocesan Website www.norwich.anglican.org 12

CERTIFICATE OF ADMISSION TO HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE CONFIRMATION This is to certify that..... was admitted to Holy Communion before Confirmation at..... In the Diocese of Norwich on... Signed................ was admitted to Holy Communion before Confirmation at..... In the Diocese of Norwich on Signed.....