Children and Communion Resoureces
* Books available from the Resources Room, Diocesan House, Truro
Background
"Children & Communion" by Peter Reiss - a practical guide for interested churches. The booklet looks at the theological and practical issues. Grove Worship Series No.149, 1998
* "Tuesday's Child" - edited by John Sutcliffe published by Christian Education, 2001, Contains passages from key, influential texts from 1900 to the 1990's, books and reports that have shaped the way we work with children today, many of which are now out of print. Suitable for ordinands, clergy, trainee Readers/ Youth Workers/ Children's Leaders.
* "Let the Little Children" - DVD available from CTVC 0207 9408480
Follows one Parish's decision to allow children to receive Holy Communion before Confirmation. This DVD explores the implications of the decision and outlines the training necessary and the theological implications.
Preparation
* "Welcome to the Lord's Table" by Margaret Withers, Bible Reading Fellowship 1999 ISBN 1 84101 043 X. Introductory chapters explore the background to preparing children for Holy Communion, and give guidance on preparing the congregation, training leaders, and involving the family. The course is in ten units each comprising two sessions, and is centred on relating stories in scripture to the children's lives. There are drama, game, and craft activities, and tasks to be done in the children's activity book that is available separately (ISBN 1 84101 044 8).
* "Share" by Nick Harding (Kevin Mayhew Ltd, 2002). SHARE is a short Communion Preparation course (5 sessions) and includes two Parent sessions. It gives a good grounding in Christianity, and prepares children for communion. It is shorter than others on the market, and is specifically aimed at 'churched' children.
"One Foot in the Water" by Geoff Treasure, CPAS 2001. A loose-leaf, photocopiable pack of 6 sessions - Remembering, Understanding, Promising, Believing, Celebrating, Sharing - to help children look back to Baptism and forward to Holy Communion. Each session has a Bible focus, opening activity, outline for a talk, a story and a summary activity.
"Bread and Wine People" by Susan Sayers. Kevin Mayhew, 2001, ISBN 1 84003 694 X. Ideas for the Eucharist where the whole community is preparing for children's admission to Communion.
* "Celebrating Together: Exploring Holy Communion" by Kathryn Schofield, Partners in Learning, 1999. An ecumenical resource containing four sessions (the last being a Communion service): A special meal, Bread of life, A sign of love, and Celebrating together. It is designed to work on an all-age basis, and the first three sessions are divided into age related sections from under 5s to adult. There are starter activities, Bible work, discussion ideas, other varied activities and suggestions for closing worship.
"Celebrating with Children" by Joan Brown SND, Kevin Mayhew 2000,
ISBN 1 84003 481 5. Ten Roman Catholic liturgical celebrations to use with children who are preparing to receive Communion.
* "Children & Holy Communion" by Steve Pearce & Diana Murrie, NS/CHP 2003, ISBN 1 84417 151 5. Written for leaders to use with groups of children aged 7 - 11 who are preparing to take communion. It includes: historical background; case studies from Parishes who have done this and material for a six-session preparation course.
"I Belong" by Aileen Urquhart et al, Redemptorist 1998. ISBN 0 85231 170 2 (Leader); 0 85231 17 9 (Parent); 0 85231 171 0 (Child). This Catholic resource comprises a Leader's Guide, a Parent's Guide and a hardback children's activity book. The programme encourages adults and children together to find the deeper realities behind everyday experiences whilst looking at themes connected with Eucharist, Church and Bible.
"Connecting with God" by Jude Levermore, BRF, 1997, A Young Person's Guide to Believing and Belonging. This confirmation course is suitable for teenagers, and includes photocopiable worksheets.
* "Come and Join the Celebration" by John Muir and Betty Pedley, CHP 2001. Church House Publishing, ISBN 0 7151 4947 4. With an introduction on the subject of children and communion, this book then explores the possibilities of the liturgy of the Eucharist, with ideas and activities suitable for children of all ages, throughout the service. Also includes a suggested commentary to be spoken alongside the liturgy for a ‘teaching' Eucharist.
* "Bread for All God's Family" by Leslie J Francis & Diane Drayson, Gracewing 1997, ISBN 0 85244 284 1. Thirty one eucharistic themes are explored with an emphasis on a project approach. Each theme is supported by photocopiable material and has readings, hymns and songs, prayers, children's activities, project ideas, discussion starters, dance/drama suggestions, all-age ideas, and suggestions about how to integrate all of this into the service.
* "Let the Children come to Communion" by Stephen Lake ISBN 0 281 05795 8. This book encourages the admission of baptised children to communion and summarises relevant practice, information and theology, it shares the experience of those who have already taken this step and aims to help encourage the church into full participation.
* "Creative Communion" by Margaret Withers and Tim Sledge. Barnabas 2008 ISBN 978 1 84101 533 0. This book provides three practical elements: background information for ministers, six workshop ideas and a six session course for young communicants.
* "Youth Emmaus" by Stephen Cottrell, Sue Mayfield, Tim Sledge and Tony Washington. CHP 2003 ISBN 0 7151 4988 1. Youth Emmaus helps young people aged between 11-16 to get to grips with the basics of the Christian faith. The book has three sections exploring ‘What Christians believe', ‘How Christians grow' and ‘Living the Christian life'. Each section has leaders' notes and has fully photocopiable handouts. It also has a CD-ROM with downloadable services, powerpoint presentations, links to websites etc.
* "About to Receive" Pub by the Children and Youth Department of the Diocese of Southwark in 2005. ISBN 0 904129 19 5. Each section of this resource contains a number of thought-provoking essays on different aspects of the Eucharist. They provide a springboard for thinking and for discussion in your group.
All Age Eucharistic Services
* "Celebration. Celebrating for all God's Family" by Margaret Withers and Tony Pinchin, Gracewing 1996, ISBN 0 85244 348 X. This book is about ‘all-age' Eucharists and deals with the practical issues of ensuring children feel included in the communion service. Two thirds of it is devoted to principles, spirituality and worship, the Eucharist itself, music, drama, visual aids, movement and outreach. The remaining third provides descriptions of 15 presentations planned with a particular Sunday or festival in mind.
* "Come to the Feast" by Stuart Thomas, Kevin Mayhew, 1997/8
This book considers the structure of an ‘all-age' eucharist: its music, readings, prayer and sermon. Service sheets and school worship are discussed. There are ideas for each Sunday, Christingle, Gift Service, crib Service, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ascension Day and other festivals.
"My Holy Communion Book, Common Worship" (Order One), by Aileen Urquhart, Redemptorist Publications 2001, ISBN 0 85231 238 5. A brightly illustrated child's communion book, using Common Worship Order One, including most of the text, apart from the Eucharistic Prayer, together with brief commentaries. It is produced in a glossy ‘wipe off' finish so that children can write or draw in response to sections of the service then erase ready for next week.
* "The Communion Cube" Issued by NS/CHP ISBN 0 7151 4976 8. Designed for younger children for use in Communion Services, this Cube puzzle follows the liturgy of the communion service and is great fun.
* "My Communion Book A Child's guide to Holy Communion" by Diana Murrie NS/Church House Publishing, ISBN 0 7151 4946 6. A colourfully illustrated book for children to use before, during and after a service of Holy Communion, with adults or alone.
"Meet Christ with Joy" by Joan Brown SND, Kevin Mayhew 1991 ISBN 86209 172 1. This is a Roman Catholic publication and is in the form of a colourful activity book that parents and children can use together.
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