Children & Communion
Children occupy a very important place in the life of this community. It may be true that children represent the future of the church, but more immediately children are a part of the present moment: they are just as important to us because of who they are now as they are because of who they will become. Jesus told his disciples to let children come to him because children were important to him in their childhood. children provide us with an important insight into what it means to be in fellowship with God. Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)
Every one of our Sunday service leaflets includes a rubric that says “Everyone is welcome to come forward to the Altar rail at this time. . . All baptized Christians are invited to receive Communion.” This rubric is a restatement of the Episcopal church’s rules, or canons. You notice, there is no lower age limit on receiving communion, and no requirement that a person has been confirmed or in any way otherwise prepared to receive communion except by virtue of his or her Baptism. As full members, all baptized Christians (regardless of age) are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood in the Mass, the Holy Eucharist.” Children of any age who have been baptized may receive communion at Saint Mark’s, and we encourage children to do so.
The church’s ancient understanding is that Holy Baptism provides the sign by which we know we are included fully and completely in the household of God and are therefore welcome and invited to participate fully in the sacramental gift of Christ’s self-giving love: the Holy Communion, when we heed his command to “Do this in remembrance of me,” and share in his Body and his Blood.
Practically speaking, it can still be a challenge for families to know how a child should receive communion, so we have some suggestions, and one guideline. First, the suggestions:
Infants who have been baptized are welcome to receive communion. Parents can help in administering communion by breaking of a tiny piece of the wafer they receive and placing it in their child’s mouth. That morsel may be dipped in the wine as the chalice is presented.
We believe Christ is fully present in each element: the Bread and the Wine. Receiving in only one kind (only Bread, or only Wine) is still receiving the entire sacramental gift. So if it’s easier to begin by receiving only the Bread, that’s just fine. Receiving in both kinds should follow in due course.
Remember that receiving just the Wine is also an option, and it is always gluten-free.
We encourage children to receive in both kinds, and the clergy and servers who bring the chalices to the rail at Communion are prepared to be patient and help a child sip a tiny bit of wine from the chalice.
It may be easier for a child to begin to receive communion when he or she is old enough to do so without much assistance - around toddler age (1-3 years old). This is a decision we think parents are in a better position to make than we are. All baptized children are welcome to receive the sacrament.
We encourage kids (and adults) to seriously consider being “sippers” rather than “dippers.” Part of the symbolism of the Mass is that we share the sacred food we are given. Out of necessity, we compromise this symbolism with the use of multiple sacred vessels, but we want to emphasize the shared aspect of this sacred gift as much as we can. This sacred meal is something we share together.
There is no clinical evidence that we know of that shows any increased danger of germs being passed with the use of a common cup, as long as common sense is used. If there were a risk of spreading germs, fingers and hands dipping into the cup would be at least as likely to do so as lips at the edges. Silver actually has well established anti-microbial properties.
Traditionally the Bread is received by holding out one’s hands: right hand on top of the left, making a little cross, or throne of the hands, where the Host is placed, then guiding both hands to the mouth to eat the Host.
Traditionally the Wine is received by using one hand to gently guide the base of the chalice, as the priest or server guides it to one’s lips, then gently tipping the chalice slightly in order to drink a small sip.
There are other ways of receiving communion, and we are comfortable with most traditions, and will adjust as seems helpful.
Next, the guideline. At Saint Mark’s we will generally assume that a child who approaches the Altar at the communion rail, who seems old enough to do so (i.e. a child who is not be carried in a parent’s arms), and who appears prepared to do so, is there to receive Communion, and not just a blessing. We recognize that this represents a shift from our long-standing default position. We used to expect that a child was there for a blessing unless we were informed otherwise. Our new default will be to assume that a child has come forward to receive communion unless we are informed otherwise. Any child who comes to the altar rail with arms crossed in front of his or her chest will be understood to be there for a blessing, as usual. Also, as usual, when there is doubt, we will discreetly inquire of a parent, and we are always happy to abide by a parent’s wishes.
Part of the implication of this shift is a clear hope that children will participate in some program of Christian formation at Saint Mark’s. It is within the context of these programs that instruction about the meaning of the Eucharist will be given.
Saint Mark’s is here for children — if we are not, then we are not heeding Christ’s command. We take children seriously, which is why we want to make sure they are kept safe, formed well in their faith, and always included as they should be in the household of God.