Our youngest chalice bearers

January 31, 2019 Uncategorized

Have you noticed that several of our chalice bearers (Lay Eucharistic Ministers, also known as LEVs) at the 10:30 service are high school students? According to our diocesan canons, LEVs must be confirmed adult communicants in good standing; regular participants in the worship of the church, including receiving Holy Communion; and active in the support of their mission or parish. Did you know that the canons also say that 16 is the age at which a person is considered an adult, which is why 16-year-olds can vote during parish meetings? The Book of Common Prayer tells us that “[i]n the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop” (BCP, 412). That “mature public affirmation” is the sacramental rite of Confirmation.

We are so blessed at St. Andrew’s to have these amazing young people who meet all of the requirements serve among us as LEVs! Our youth LEVs are all regular participants in our worship, regular recipients of Holy Communion, and active ministers in the local community through EYC mission trips and other community service. Each time a high school student offers you the blood of Christ, he or she is living into the mature public affirmation of faith made at Confirmation. How incredibly blessed we are by their presence and ministry among us!

Anne