Sharing Communion

At Communion, some people receive bread and wine. Others come for a blessing. Some remain in their seats. All of these are completely normal.

If you are unsure what to do, simply follow those around you or ask one of the team. You do not need to know the right words or understand everything before taking part. 

If all of this is new to you, please talk to us. There is never any pressure to receive Communion, and we are always delighted to offer a blessing.

As an ecumenical church, we are learning to understand and honour the different practices within our partner traditions.

United Reformed Church

In the United Reformed Church, the Lord’s Table is ordinarily understood as an open table, with all who sincerely wish to share in the meal invited to do so.

[Read more about Communion in the URC [PDF]→]

Baptist traditions

Baptist practice varies between churches. In many Baptist churches, Communion is shared particularly among those who have made a public profession of Christian faith and are members of the Church. Other Baptist churches practise a more open table. Because Baptist churches place strong emphasis on the gathered local church discerning its life together, there is not one identical practice everywhere.

Church of England

In the Church of England, Communion is normally received by those who have been baptised and confirmed, or who have otherwise been formally admitted to Communion. Those who are already accustomed to receiving Communion in another Christian denomination are also welcome to receive. Children would normally receive Communion where they have been admitted according to the appropriate practice.

Different Christian traditions approach children receiving Communion in different ways.

Some children receive from a young age. In other families and traditions, children wait until Confirmation or another point of public profession of faith.

We honour both approaches.

We encourage families to talk together about what Communion means within their own Christian tradition and what feels right for them. We are always happy to be part of those conversations.

We want practical arrangements around Communion to make participation easier, not create unnecessary barriers.

Bread

We always make gluten-free bread available. If you need gluten-free bread, please let us know. Where allergies or coeliac disease are involved, do talk to us so that we can think carefully about handling and cross-contamination.

Wine and grape juice

We always provide a non-alcoholic option, often grape juice. Because our partner traditions have different customary ways of sharing the wine, we often make both individual cups and the Common Cup available where appropriate.

You are free to receive in the way that is right for you and your tradition.

If you do not wish to drink from the Common Cup for health or other reasons, you may simply receive the bread. Christian tradition has long taught that the fullness of Christ’s grace is received even when Communion is received in one kind only.

There is no expectation that you explain your choice.

Each of our communities is developing its own rhythm of gathering around the Lord’s Table.

Pathfinder Church

Pathfinder Church normally celebrates Communion around once a month, together and intergenerationally. When we celebrate Communion, it shapes the whole gathering rather than feeling like something added at the end. The Great Thanksgiving and the sharing of bread and wine normally happen within the Offering and Responding part of our Sunday gathering. Children remain part of the gathered community throughout.

Compline Community

The Compline Community shares Communion Meals roughly once each half term. These are relaxed gatherings around food, prayer and conversation, shaped by the ancient Christian pattern of gathering around a shared table. 

We also have spoken communion services (advertised through the whatsapp channels)

People from across the wider Network are always welcome to join.

Little Explorers

Little Explorers currently uses a beautiful non-eucharistic retelling of the Last Supper, sharing breadsticks together as part of its regular Thursday morning gathering. This happens at about once each half term.

We are continuing to explore how sacramental worship might develop naturally within Little Explorers as the community grows, and we make sure families from Little Explorers are included in wider Network Communion celebrations.

Festivals and special gatherings

Across the Network there are also opportunities to celebrate Communion at key Christian festivals and special gatherings.

Sometimes this happens in the places where we normally meet; sometimes outdoors.

Wherever we gather, the aim is the same: to recognise Christ among us and to share together in the life of the wider Church.

Questions are welcome.

If you have never received Communion before, you do not need to make an instant decision. You are very welcome simply to watch, to come forward for a blessing, or to stay where you are.

If you would like to explore receiving Communion, speak to Beth or another member of the team. We would be glad to talk with you about what Communion means, baptism, faith, Confirmation or church membership — without assuming where that conversation needs to lead.

Our ecumenical relationships extend beyond our three formal partner denominations. We are grateful for our growing friendship with the local Catholic community.

The nearest regular Catholic Masses are celebrated at St Laurence’s Catholic Church in Cambridge, with Mass also normally available at Bar Hill.

Because Mass times can change, particularly around festivals and holidays, we recommend checking the parish’s own website and current newsletter before travelling.

[St Laurence’s Catholic Church →]

With the support of St Laurence’s, Catholics living in Northstowe are also warmly welcome to join the Compline Community for prayer on alternate Thursday evenings.