Communion Preparation
Solemn Communion at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
An offering for 3rd – 5th graders and their parents
April 14, 21, 28 (10–11:15 a.m.) and May 5 (12:30-5:00 p.m.)
Registration open until March 8
As Christians we are eager to share the sacrament of Holy Communion with those who seek to receive this nourishing gift of divine presence. While a special course of instruction on Holy Communion is not required to receive the sacrament in the Episcopal Church, many—children and adults alike—may find it enriching, instructive, even transformative to spend several weeks in a course designed to deepen one’s participation in and appreciation of Eucharist and its centrality to the Christian life.
During elementary school, children enter what is known as the age of reason, a profound phase of development, and one in which the religious formation of the child is particularly impressionable. It is an intensely sensitive time that we believe the church should take great care to nurture. In this developmental phase, children are uniquely engaged in becoming more aware not only of their own moral compass but of a discerning inner voice.
Solemn Communion is a five-week series for children and parents based on meditations from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the Montessori-based approach to religious formation that we use at St. Stephen’s Church. This series is designed with the spiritual life of the elementary age child in mind, with companion presentations given to their parents. As much as Solemn Communion is a deepening personal experience, it is equally a community-building relational experience for all involved.
Preparation for Solemn Communion is offered in three one-hour sessions beginning April 14 and culminates with a half-day retreat on the afternoon of Sunday, May 5. The following Sunday, May 12, the children and parents participating in this program will receive Communion together in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with the larger church at the 9 a.m. service.
Children in grades 3–5 are invited to participate. The children’s class led by the Rev. Abby Kocher will gather on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. during the formation period. Concurrently in Many Parents One Vine, parents will engage the same themes as their children in conversations led by St. Stephen’s clergy. Parents who register their children should plan to attend these sessions.
The capstone retreat on the afternoon of Sunday, May 5, will involve both parents and children together, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with lunch and ending at 5 p.m. It is a special experience to share as a group and it is important not to miss it. Family ministry staff will lead the retreat. Finally, this preparation culminates on Sunday, May 12 when the children and their parents will receive Communion during the celebration of Holy Eucharist with the larger congregation the regular 9 a.m. service in the main church.
Because we were not able to offer this preparation as often as usual during the pandemic, we anticipate that there may be many families who would like to participate. We plan to continue offering Solemn Communion each year, so if this session does not work for you, there will be other opportunities forthcoming. If you anticipate that you and/or your child would miss more than two sessions, it would be better to wait until the next offering. St. Stephen’s offers other opportunities for parishioners of all ages to learn more about Holy Communion: in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, inquirers classes for adults, and the youth Confirmation program.
Registration will remain open through March 8. When you register your child, you’ll be asked to register one parent, too. More than one parent is welcome to participate, but at least one parent is required. We need to know which parent will receive communication and participate in the May 5 retreat. If you have questions or are discerning the timing of Solemn Communion for yourself and your child, please contact Abby Kocher.
Contact
The Rev. Abby Kocher // 804.288.2867 // email