Children and Communion

Current Diocesan policy is that parishes should seek the permission of the Bishop to admit children to communion before confirmation. This is done by completing and sending an application form to the Children’s Officer. An application form can be downloaded from this site.

Baptised children may be admitted to Communion after preparation. They should receive a certificate at their first Communion, which should be a special occasion. The parish should keep a register of all children who have been admitted to Communion. Support is available for parishes wishing to explore the issue of children who are baptised receiving Holy Communion before confirmation. There are a number of resources available in the Resources Centre in Church House.

In 2006 General Synod made regulations (GS1596) on the admission of baptised children to Holy Communion before confirmation under 1(C) Canon B15A. This can be downloaded by clicking here.

Celebrate: Is a simple pack encouraging children and families to explore and prepare together. It has been created and used in a number of settings by Jenny Lambourne and is based on creating a scrapbook of the child’s journey of faith and using Godly Play stories.