Can I take communion if I haven't been confirmed?

[Tinselmouse]

Sorry for my ignorance. I was baptised as a child (C of E), but have never since gone to church. Since having my DD, and getting her baptised, I have started taking her to church as I feel it hypocritical not to. At the moment I take her once a month to the Family Service. I am finding that I am really enjoying going and feel that I am finding my faith. My local church has one family service, one morning prayer service and 2 communion services a month. I am unsure whether I should take part in Communion as I have not been confirmed, but I am quite a a shy person and feel a bit embarrassed asking the local priest. Can anyone help?

[SconeRhymesWithPhone]

Normally if you're baptised you're ok to take communion in c of e church. The service sheet will usually tell you what to do and who can take communion. Certainly my church would be fine with you taking it.

[EvansOvalPiesYumYum]

In the Catholic Faith, as far as I can remember, you can take Communion if you have been baptised. I remember (many years ago) taking Communion before I was 'Confirmed'.

[NapoleonsNose]

I'm baptised (C of E) but but not confirmed and have never taken Communion as I was always told it was something that was only allowed after confirmation.

[NapoleonsNose]

Just googled this and it would seem that anyone preparing for confirmation can take it.

[GingerSkin]

Following as I'm not confirmed and took holy communion last month at my church. I got all confused as I was going to take dd up for a blessing and she didn't want to go, I'd already got up and felt I had to go then [ I need to speak to the vicar as I don't think I should have gone up. It's also c of e.

[NapoleonsNose]

In a C of E church you are a welcome to go up to the altar and you can leave your hands by you side to indicate that you don't want to take communion and you will receive a blessing instead.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

As far as I understand it different churches have different approaches - in my (C of E) church anyone is welcome to take communion who feels that they want to, and feels ready to. The vicars and the order of service always make this clear. I know the C of E church I went to as a child had a different approach though - one was expected to be confirmed before one took communion, although we had one vicar who used to relax this stipulation on occasion, so presumably he didn't feel comfortable with it.
I think more and more C of E churches are welcoming anyone to take communion, but if you feel uncertain I would speak to the vicar, or even a friendly member of the congregation who may be able to advise. But it is also about what you feel comfortable with - my dh, who is an active member of our church, doesn't take communion as he is not confirmed and doesn't feel comfortable/ ready to do so, even though various vicars and members of our congregation repeatedly urge him to do so (which they really shouldn't, IMHO, though they mean well). It's a very personal thing, I think.

[FaithLoveandGrace]

As lovely has said, it very much varies depending on where you go. I've only ever attended CofE churches and I was firmly told at my first church not to take communion as whilst I was baptised, I wasn't confirmed. The next church I attended though had no problem with me taking it. I was confirmed at my current church but my vicar has never had a problem with me taking it, even before I started confirmation classes with him. I think the decision to take communion can be quite personal. If you feel like you understand the sacrament of holy communion and wish to receive it, I honestly can't see the issue even if you haven't been confirmed.

Try and ask your priest though if you can. You've no reason to be embarrassed, I think plenty of people have this question :)

[LadyCassandra]

There is a passage in 1 Corinthians which talks about taking communion in an "unworthy manner" of which there appear to be a number of meanings. Our church teaches this as someone who does not understand the Gospel or do not believe it. Our minister normally gives advice saying if you do not feel comfortable then let it pass you by. However, our communion is taken seated so we don't go "up the front".
In my bible study recently someone said they didn't feel they could join in communion one week as they were having trouble forgiving someone and so they felt they would be "unworthy" by participating.