Holy Communion - advice please.

[Hopeoverexperience]

I have just started attending our local church, after a long absence, and would really appreciate some advice please. The church is Anglican. I have been Christened but not Confirmed - what should I do in the service when the congregation go up for Holy Communion. I imagine I should remain in my seat as don't think I can take part? Is it necessary to be Confirmed to play a "proper" part in church life? Thanks for reading!

Hi, Hope,

No, you don't need to be confirmed to play a part in church life, and no, you don't need to stay in your seat for Communion.

For Communion, you can go up to the altar for a blessing. The problem is that the priest and servers need to know that you want ablessing and not Communion, and there' sno clear signal for this - some people suggest standing up, others that you put your hands behind your back. So the best thing is to have a chat with the priest and explain what you'd like to do and they will let you know if they want you to stand or kneel etc.

That said, my old pp was happy to give Communion to anyone who had been christened/baptised, so long as they were commited to their beliefs.

You can volunteer to help with any church functions such as lesson reading, helping at Sunday club, sidesperson etc. Possibly there may be a bar on joining the PCC unless you are confirmed but I don't think I was ever asked.

I was confirmed in my late twenties and for me it was a renewal of my baptismal vows.

Many thanks Spiritmum - I really appreciate your reply. I'm rather nervous at the moment about doing "the wrong thing" and appearing ignorant - your reply was very useful.

in our church, people are encouraged to come up for a blessing, and to bring the service booklet as the signal that the vicar does blessing rather than offer wine.

But just like spiritmum, in our old church everyone took wine and bread as a sign of sharing - the view of the vicar there.

(Both cofe churches!)

Hope, I can well remember that nervous feeling, when I was on the PCC I tried to get them to see how beneficial it would be to have information for newbies and maybe volunteers who will talk to newcomers about what to do and who will sit with them for the first few times if liked. But they were all cradle churchgoers and really couldn't see what the problem was. It was like banging my head against a brick wall!

Stick with it though, it will soon become second nature. And nobody actually notices anyone making 'mistakes' anyway.

Have a word with your priest and ask what they would prefer you to do as it does vary from church to church.

At our church, everyone goes up and kneels. If you are taking communion you raise your hands ready to accept. If not, you keep your hands on the rail in front you of you with your head slightly bowed and instead of giving you communion, the vicar places his hand on your head and gives you a blessing. I like this as my sons are not confirmed yet (althought the eldest is having instruction at the moment) but they can still come up with me for a blessing and be an integral part of the communion service.

Spiritmum I really like your idea about information / support for newcomers :) I am the children's worker for our church and do lots of outreach with families. I have often heard people say that they feel overwhelmed by the feeling that they don't know what to do when they come to church (when to stand, when to sit, when to reply, where to face, which page to flick to in the very complicated communion book, what to do during/after communion etc etc)Do you mind if I suggest it to my PCC?

Of course I don't, 3plus, I hope it works out at your church. Just a little photocopied booklet with a contact number would make so much difference.

Thank-you so much everyone for taking time to reply - I really appreciate it.
I think your idea Spiritmum for volunteers to speak to new people & guide them through their first few visits is an excellent one. I'm not sure that regular established church goers realise how intimidating a new church can be.
I will make enquiries re variations of blessing/communion. At least I know what to ask now - and am very grateful.

Thanks spiritmum :)

Good luck Hope - Come back and let us know how you get on :)

Hope, I hope you will get to the point where you are comfortable to take confirmation classes and be confirmed! :)

until then, yes, ask your priest what is the tradition in your church. most churches say keep your hands by your side and bow your head if you don't take communion, others say take your service booklet with you as a sign.
Normally, churches will say at the beginning of the service what to do, but they usually only do that if they can see new people! and if they recognise you, they might not realise you're new iyswim.

They'll be happy that you want to be part ofthe congregation and want to give you a blessing at the communion rail.
:)

Hope,

You can certainly go up for a blessing. Just keep your hands by your side, and someone will pray for you.

It depends on the church if you can receive communion. At our church, we have an open table - anyone who loves the Lord and is in good standing with their own church is welcome to receive. We always announce that everyone is welcome at the start so that there is no doubt.

Most adult members will take communion even if they haven't been confirmed. Teenagers usually wait until their confirmation.