FIRST COMMUNION

Rev’d George and Sienna (second from right in first picture)

It was an utter joy to prepare this year’s group to be admitted to receive their First Communion There were over 20 young people ranging in age from Year 3 (7/8 years old) to Year 8 (12/13 years old). They were engaged throughout the course. They explored their faith by acquiring more knowledge as well as prayerfully, with some spiritual wondering and exploring. The day itself was both holy and joyful in equal measure There were over 250 worshipping in church, which required three stations for Communion, followed by a great celebration in the vicarage garden, where the candidates each received a certificate and a wooden cross from the Holy Land. Huge congratulations to all who took this important step forward in your faith this year – each and every one of you are a tremendous gift to the Church. Thanks be to God!

For six weeks Revd Penny, Fr. George and Julia led us in holy communion preparatory classes We met every Wednesday afternoon for an hour in the church hall and discussed what it means to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion We talked about Jesus’ teachings, about the Last Supper that he shared with his disciples where they broke bread and about his ultimate sacrifice of dying on the cross for us

We studied parables and looked into their meanings and tried to understand what they meant, and how they are still relevant today

The one that stuck with me most was the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story says that a Samaritan saw a man who he took pity on, so he helped him by cleaning his wounds, then took him on the back of his donkey, and led him to an innkeeper, whom he paid to look after him Jesus teaches us that we should all do the same as the good Samaritan, which is to go out and be a good person to all. It also teaches us that we have been put here on Earth to work and do good things within our society, our community and within our own relationships

Our Holy Communion ceremony on the 11th June was a very special day. There were twenty of us who received the sacrament on this day We were surrounded by friends and family I really enjoyed it and am thankful for all the work Penny, George, and Julia put into making our classes fun and interactive as well as to the parents for their help in making it such a memorable event for us all.