My son has been taking communion (bread, not wine!) ever since he was weaned. On one memorable occasion he spat out the wafer-style bread and declared at the top of his voice, "Yuk! That's not bread, it's cornflakes!" But he knows, at any rate, that whatever happens in Church he can have a go, check it out. I've always told him that he belonged to God since before he was born, and he joined the Church when he was baptised at five weeks old. It's HIS church, just as much as anyone else's. And, as young children are so readily able, he believed me and made the most of the privilege.
Kathryn writes about a touching occasion when she broke bread with a toddler group, and one little boy wanted to make sure the babies didn't get left out. She writes:
"...He made his way round the siblings sleeping in prams, leaving a crumb with each, and wasn't happy till he was certain everyone had received some. But if he comes to the 10.00 on Sunday, he can't expect the same hospitality...How did we reach this point? How have we allowed ourselves to attach so much baggage to the family feast that half of those present are excluded, and many of the others are still struggling with burdens of unworthiness even as they're invited to draw near with faith?"
It often concerns me how bad the church is at getting down to the level of a four year old, a seven year old, a nine year old, and expressing church in a way that is genuine for them. Too often we do a reductionist version of adult Church, thinking that they won't understand it so we'll have to water it down for them. Much better to assume that children understand a great deal, but express it in a more childish way.
Maybe it's just me, but as a child I never understood it. It made NO sense. So maybe it's best not to assume that level of understanding. But you're right, children do beleive adults. Which is why I worry about what my kids are going to be told. Are they going to be told to be kind and helpful? Or are they going to be told that if they don't behave they will burn in hell? I know of people claiming to be teachers who think this. This is why I get concerned when my child comes home with a leaflet inviting him to "bible-based fun activities". Ok, but whose version of the bible is he going to get?
Don't interpret this as an attack on you personally, it's just a concern. If there were no literalists out there it would not be an issue :-)
Posted by: Enoch | 14/10/2005 at 10:32
I totally agree, Enoch. Teach your own kids well, and choose their other teachers as carefully as you can. I wouldn't send my son to Sunday School at all if burning in hell was on the agenda.
Posted by: maggi | 14/10/2005 at 10:35
The blessed thing we Anglicans have is our liturgy. The liturgy is what teaches children, I believe, beginning from their first days as tiny infants. They absorb the sacredness - albeit not always quietly. Yes, some instruction is necessary in Sunday school, and I agree this is best done by not watering down the catechism (a good place to start, adapted to modern language of course), as well as presenting all those great stories in the Bible. I agree also that hellfire has no place. But none of this instruction should be at the expense of children participating in the liturgy. The best thing adults can do in church is to tolerate their cries and babbles - they'll calm down soon enough. "Suffer" the little children...
Posted by: Neale Adams | 14/10/2005 at 15:10
Completely agree about including children - and yes, they generally quieten down if they're cuddled in church - and if not, so what? But I have to say my Baptist roots still have qualms with children taking communion; I suppose it's just like adults though, some are ready and some aren't. One thing I always thought the Anglicans really did well was including people with a blessing even if they didn't feel able to/want to take Communion - there have been times when that sense of benediction has been a real moment of healing for me.
Posted by: Serena | 14/10/2005 at 17:42
being a baptist too, there's a issue for me, although i don't feel that strongly as most (I'm a wannabe anglican on this one) - children are much more capable of understanding than we give them credit, and actually perhaps we serve to discourage them when we try and simplify everything. children don't have the intellectual baggage we have later in life, which makes it harder for us to think outside of our theological and ecclesial boxes.
Posted by: andy goodliff | 14/10/2005 at 18:54
Andy, as a Baptist, I've had to change my theology on this one. Maggi's right, can you see Jesus asking to see birth certificates before giving people (especialy little people) his body and blood!? I still believe that "The Church" is the local gathered community of believers, I'm just equally sure that most of the little people in church (small C meaning the place) ARE believers. Like me their understanding and committment are less than perfect, but God doesn't require me to be perfect...
Posted by: Tim | 14/10/2005 at 19:27
My children have been recieiving full communion since each put their hands out. Not at my urging mind you. I believe we need to give the holy spirit his due in this process and not leave it all to church rules.
Posted by: Henry | 14/10/2005 at 21:52
Many might this shocking, down right blasphemous. But we do an Alt. Cafe' church sort of thing in our down town core. We had communion one night, and in our presence that night we had a young man ( not then a follower ) but has we read the story of the Last Supper from " the Message " in preparation...the young man was truly moved. He asked if he could join us. In my mind, the battle...yes, no, yes, yes, no, yes...but the image of the servant being sent out by the master to the fields, the streets, the back allies with invitations to the feast. The Master wanted the table full.
So I invited the young man...and in this feast, this intimacy of humanity and God at table...the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to this young man. He has never been the same, doesn't know all the answers, but is a passionate follower.
So I agree with Henry, the Holy Spirit is the greatest revealer of truth in this mysterious feast.
I think we also need to teach our children that there is the same intimacy with God, when we sit at home and share a meal with family and friends. Sometimes I think that jesus gave us something so everyday, that he wanted to reveal that in his hands all of life is grace...and we've made it so exclusive and sacred.
Please forgive me, if this is offensive to some.
Posted by: ron | 15/10/2005 at 00:49
What is the teaching of giving the Eucharist to children in the Anglican Communion?
Posted by: ben | 15/10/2005 at 01:38
I remember a very painful moment at which our youngest (then aged 3 or so) could not understand why he was being denied the bread at communion. And neither could I... I too come from a baptist tradition and find myself now a clergyperson in the anglican church and my views have changed - but I have to say, I find it very difficult (from a biblical theological perspective) to see why we sometimes deny children a part in the Lord's supper. Not only does it run counter to Jesus' practice of including children, it also runs counter to Paul's teaching on communion.
Wonderful story Ron. Actually, it's more shocking that we might find it shocking...
Posted by: hopefulamphibian | 15/10/2005 at 09:54
Being the one to bear the responsibility of deciding whether or not a person should 'receive' is pretty hard. I value the Iona liturgy so much, because in the invitation to communion it refocusses this responsibility; as the celebrant says:
"This is the table,
not of the Church, but of the Lord.
It is to be made ready
for those who love him
and who want to love him more.
So, come,
you who have much faith
and you who have little,
you who have been here often
and you who have not been for a long time,
you who have tried to follow
and you who have failed.
Come,
not because it is I who invite you:
it is our Lord.
It is his will that those who want him
should meet him here."
That gets used a lot in our church, where we admit children to communion, though, imperfectly, we still have them jump through the hoops of a preparation class before they can.
Posted by: John Davies | 15/10/2005 at 11:20
John - thanks for posting that here. Wonderful words.
Posted by: hopefulamphibian | 15/10/2005 at 11:57
I love these comments here. They truly have blessed me.
We are often so black and white in our traditons - from whatever line we come from.
Henry wrote: "My children have been recieiving full communion since each put their hands out." I loved that :) so much! It's such a good picture. We come to the banquet because we are hungry for Him. :)
In my liturgics course our instructor (a methodist pastor but who would really be at home in the anglican church) shared with us that he uses wine (not grape juice) for a whole series of reasons - and that when he blesses infants at the communion table he dips his little finger into the cup and allows them to take the wine. I loved it. In his church he also encourages children to take the bread at the altar.
Ron Jesus wants us all there - hey, he ate with sinners and tax collectors - God met that man in the Communion and changed his life. so IMHO you did the right thing, exactly what Jesus would have done!
John the iona liturgy was lovely thanks - and big hug (((Maggi))) thank you for opening this discussion here.
all of you be blessed!
Posted by: Lorna | 15/10/2005 at 14:53
John, Thanks for the liturgy...what a beautifully all inclusive invitation.
Posted by: ron | 15/10/2005 at 16:53
love your page, maggie - i always thought the theology/faith/ opens up the landscape of our minds, not closes it as strict adherence to certain doctrines can do ....lots to say but need to sign off - thanks for a compelling blog - c x
Posted by: clare | 16/10/2005 at 09:22
It's sadly ironic that many church traditions treat children as though they cannot possibly be "believers" -- whereas when Jesus wanted to explain true faith he said: "unless you become like little children..."
Posted by: Ben Myers | 17/10/2005 at 01:08
My "two cents" . .. Maybe three cents with inflation and all. :)
There is not just the age issue to think about in regard to what young children can, or can not do in GODS Church (not OUR churches, mind you).
What about a group of people of all ages, that often get over looked, or passed by? People with emotional, or mental limitations? (Which if we are honest, includes all of us at some degree).
Do we really get the sense from the Scripture that Jesus would tell His disciples to "hold back" various elements of the CHURCH experience because someone is "SLOW" "Retarded" or like me ... a poor speller?
Heavenly Father .. please give us YOUR EYES to really see people. In Jesus Name AMEN!
Posted by: Pastor Dan Chapman | 13/01/2007 at 13:25