Community Communion in Acton

Rev. Anne Lawson

For once in my life, I’m not talking about rural ministry! Instead, I want to share something that’s become one of the most joyful parts of my week — our Community Communion in Acton.

Each March, the Year 5 children from our church school begin coming to our midweek communion service. They keep coming for a year, until they’re in Year 6. Then, in a lovely act of “passing the baton,” they bring the new Year 5s with them before moving on to SATs. We’re about to begin our third cycle, and I’m still amazed at how God has blessed it.

It began quite simply. I have two church schools, and before COVID we’d tried a school communion in Worleston — but with staff changes and general school turbulence, it never quite took off. Acton, however, already had a weekly midweek communion — small, quiet, mostly elderly folk — and one day a teacher asked, “Can I bring a group of children to observe your service?”

“Well, yes,” I said, “but what will they actually see?”

A handful of older parishioners quietly receiving communion wasn’t going to fire up ten-year-olds! So I suggested, “Why don’t we think about having a school communion instead?”

At first, the idea went nowhere. The school had other priorities, and though it was a church school, faith wasn’t really front and centre. I kept gently sowing the seed.

Then, about four years ago, everything changed! A new head teacher arrived — full of enthusiasm, though only with us a year. His successor had no experience of church schools but said cheerfully, “I’m going to give this a jolly good go!” Around the same time, his nine-year-old daughter announced, “Daddy, I want to be baptized.” So off they went to church — not one of mine, but his local parish — and he began a real journey of faith. It’s been such a blessing to see.

One day I mentioned the idea again, and he said, “Let’s make it happen.” I took the proposal to our midweek congregation first. “How would you feel about the Year 5 and 6 class joining you each half-term?” I asked. Every hand went up. When I took it to the PCC, it sailed through without a single objection.

And so the children came — not to watch, but to take part. They read, pray, serve, and sing. What happens afterwards is just as sacred: conversations between generations. Children chatting with parishioners about nature, music, and faith. The organist surrounded by eager singers at the piano. Little pockets of laughter and learning all around the church. It’s church as it’s meant to be — young and old, worshipping, talking, discovering together.

We’re still learning. The children asked to know the hymns beforehand, so our organist and I created a playlist they can use in class. It’s been transformative.

Then came the big question: “Can the children receive communion?” My heart said yes — and thankfully, so did the PCC. My strategy has always been simple: “Where’s the Holy Spirit going? I’m following.” Clearly, the Spirit had gone ahead.

Now, four children — after thoughtful discussion with their parents — are preparing for admission to communion. Some may even ask to be baptized. And perhaps, in time, their teachers too.

What began as a hesitant idea has become a place where generations meet, faith grows, and the love of God is shared in the most natural, joyful way.

And I can’t wait to see where the Spirit leads next.