To the Disciples of Christ in the Kettle River Cooperative:
It was Easter Day. The custom and practice in Peace Lutheran Church was to kneel for Holy Communion, but being Easter Day, the pastor asked the congregation to stand to receive the sacrament. Laurel was one of the servers that day. As she placed the bread in the hand of a young mother she said, “The Body of Christ, given for you,” then began to choke back her tears; for there, next to her mom, stood a little girl looking up at her hopefully with her empty hands reached out. She had come to join in the celebration, but Laurel could not give her the bread. It was not for her. The little girl wasn’t old enough. She had not been confirmed and wasn’t even in third grade yet. The little girl knew the bread and wine were only for grownups. And yet when Laurel passed by her with only a loving smile to give her, she could see the hurt in her eyes, she had been left out again. Oh yes, there was the blessing, “Child of God, the Lord keep you in the covenant of your baptism.” But when everyone else is eating a celebration meal, a kind word without the meal just doesn’t do it. Such is the experience of many children and pastors at the communion table. We get used to it. We have become so accustom to the procedure and way of doing communion we don’t even wonder why our children are passed by.
It used to be the practice of our church that one does not receive communion until after confirmation. The thought being one needs to know enough, and understand what is going one, before one can partake in Christ’s gift of body and blood. Today many churches in the ELCA are growing in their understanding of communion practices. Many have moved to 1st communion at 5th grade (the current practice in a few congregations), while still many others are participating in Communion of the Baptized, which means everyone who has been baptized, no matter their age, are welcome to the table of our Lord.
As stated in the 1997 ELCA church wide study on communion practices in the church called “The Use of the Means of Grace,” … Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized…There is no command from our Lord regarding the age at which people should be baptized or first commune. Our practice should be defined by Christ’s command…DO THIS!
On Tuesday March 31 Grace Lutheran in Sandstone (one of our sister coop churches) had a first communion class for children and parents of all ages who are interested in communing their children for the first time. Children in all of our churches do not need to take a class in order to commune. BUT if you believe this gift of God is for your child now…whatever age they may be….they are welcome to begin communing and grow in their understanding of it as God leads and guides them. If your family would be interested in a first communion class, give me a call and we can talk about setting up a time. Or, remember it is ok to just begin communing your child. They will receive more instruction in confirmation. Keep in mind what Martin Luther once said, “all that one needs is simply a believing heart.” And then, we as God’s people we grow in the gifts of God’s grace and love. Waiting to commune your child until they are in 5th grade or older is your choice parents as God leads and guides you and your family….
As I think about my own communing over the years, and the communing of our daughters from the day of their baptism, one thing sticks out for me. We have not grown in our love and appreciation of the gift God gives us in Holy Communion by attending a class, instructing us in the gifts of God’s grace and love in the meal. We have grown by experiencing God’s strong presence and invitation as we eat and drink. “This is my body…this is my blood….FOR YOU.” Holy Communion…is a great gift God gives all God’s people.
God’s peace and blessing be with you and your family as you continue to grow in faith and life.