First Communion

First Holy Communion traditions are as different as congregations, churches and faith traditions.  There really is no right or wrong way to do it, but we do it a little differently here at Holy Communion.  Children learn by imitating their parents, grandparents and caregivers.  That works in church, too.

If a child, no matter his or her age, comes to the altar during communion and presents their outstretched hands, they will be given communion (unless his or her parent objects). There are some who would argue that they are too young, or that they don’t understand the sacrament. That may be true, but we believe that God works in and through children, just as God does with adults. We don’t stop there.

We allow these children to continue to receive the sacrament as part of the greater church community, and we encourage them to grow and learn.  Then, somewhere between the ages of 6 and 10, we consult with the parents or caregivers of the child and decide if he or she is ready to learn more about the sacrament of communion.  Once everyone is in agreement, we then spend time over several Sunday’s teaching the child about what the sacrament of communion is, and what it means to receive it.  When that period of education is complete, we hold a special service where that child receives his or her “First Communion”.

There are no guidelines in the scriptures about communion other than “Do this in remembrance of me,” and here at Holy Communion we do just that!