At my church everyone is welcomed to join in communion...as printed in each sunday's bulletin. So when I go up there I bring my son with. They bring out wine OR grape juice and bread. When the pastor comes to my son he gives him a large red grape and says a prayer. My thoughts are "Wow! What a huge grape.....grapes, one of the top 5 things for kiddos to choke on!" So I quickly bite off half of the grape and give the rest to my son.

My question is : "Why can't my son have grape juice and bread?"

He'd love either! But I don't know if he isn't supposed to have it until he confirmed??? He was baptised at this church. The bullentin said all are welcome...Is there a reason he can't have the bread and juice? I feel embarassed asking my pastor.

Good question. Could have to do with staining issues. Carpet, clothes, isn't that grape juice a little strong? Maybe choking is an issue. I really do not know. I guess maybe a grape is innocent before wine or juice? Such as is a child? Ask him next time. Let us know the answer. I am very curious.
Kat

For one, you should never be embarrassed to talk with your spiritual leader. Be frank, and patient; explain your misunderstanding and if you feel you are being lead in circles, remind him of the "everyone's welcome" statement on the bulletin

Agreed with SisterShaman. "embarassed asking my pastor" should not be.

Some churches are of the opinion that children are not old enough to have come to a full relationship with christ, and so do not give them communion. I don't agree with that policy, but it may be why they give your son a grape instead.

You should check with your pastor, or with the church elders, on why they are giving your son the grape instead of the grape juice and bread.

They should be happy to discuss the issue with you, and to give your son the regular communion. If not, I suggest you try another church. Another church may offer the normal communion for your son. I know that the church I have been going to allows anyone old enough to safely eat and drink the communion to partake, but one just up the street only allows youth over 12.

Hope that helps, and that you get everything resolved smoothly!

Just a thought, but be sure your son won't miss the grape too if this is going to change.

it depends on the church policy
in my chutch u need to have maiden the first communion in order to get the whole thing
wine and bread

Just adding another voice to say "Don't be embarassed Twin"-

Alomst all pastors love to talk about these issues... yours would probably be delighted to discuss... and if not then I agree with others... it's time to find a new place to explore and celebrate your beliefs...

Let us know what he says- I am familiar with many who follow the guidelines TLW mentions- RE (religious education) before first communion.

But when we were children, at my grandmothers church, it was a very large chuch and they actually passed the tiny glasses and plates of cut up wonder bread through the pews for all to partake. So we "ate the bread and wine (grape juice)" even though we never had a formal "first communion".

I'll letcha know after sunday.

Thanks for the advice. I know it seems silly that I am embarassed to ask, but I dont want to seem ignorant to a great symbolic event or anything.