This project was encouraged by the Deans of Berkeley Episcopal Seminary, tested with the Rev. Sandra Stayner and St. Peter's Cheshire, and funded by the Episcopal Church's United Thank Offering Seminarian Grant.
1. GATHERING MUSIC 9:40-10:10AM
The musician leads the usual silly songs and Bible songs as children arrive. Priest picks two students to bring up the bread and wine from a table at the wall opposite the altar. Show them the elements, let them practice carrying them, and then tell them to wait until the Eucharist.
2. INTRODUCTION
“Today we’re going to do something different! We’re going to celebrate the Eucharist together, just like we do on Sundays in the main church (upstairs). First we read from the Bible a story about Jesus, and then we’ll bring up our gifts of bread and wine, and then we’ll say a long prayer saying ‘thank you’ to God. Ready? Great!”
3. GOSPEL
“First we’re going to hear a very short story about Jesus. This comes from the Bible, from the book of Mark.”
Use any short sentence from the Gospels, as indicated in the Book of Common Prayer. Point out the book on the Godly Play shelf of Bible books. If a teen assistant is there, ask them to read it.
A reading from the Gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Christ. This response is usually given by the adults in the room; this is a good way for children to learn it.
While [Jesus and his friends] were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
4. MOVE TO ALTAR 10:15
“And now we’re going to go to stand at the altar together, like Jesus and his disciples sat around the table. But first, listen to how we’ll do it.” Wait for real listening.
“I will be in front so that I can touch the bread and wine. Everyone else can come stand around close so that they can see. You can come up all the way to the altar, but you cannot touch the candles (because we don’t want someone to get burned), and you cannot move the tablecloth (because it might knock everything over). And we really need to respect everyone’s space, so please do not push or hit or move anyone else. Okay? Do you think you can do that? If you try and you can’t manage it, one of our teachers will ask you to stand further back. Right, let’s give it a try!”
5. DOXOLOGY & PRESENTATION
Children gather around the altar. Musician leads the Doxology a few times. Priest reminds appointed children to bring up the
6. EUCHARIST : THE FEAST 10:20-10:35AM
“Now we’re going to have a feast together! Here are the words we’re going to use to say thank you to God.” Pass out leaflets to adults and to any children who want to hold them, even those who can’t read. (Many children like to learn to follow along this way.)
Pray the Great Thanksgiving.
Give instructions for communion, including in what configuration they should stand in. We line up during the Little Chapel service because that’s how we do it in the main service, too; I think it’s best to recall whatever your main service is like, whether it’s a line or a circle, etc. Because some of our children are not allowed to sip the wine but are allowed to intinct, we simply instruct everyone to do so, so that there is less confusion or worry.
“Now we’re all going to take communion. I will give you a little piece of communion bread, and then you will dip it in the chalice that Ms. {LEM parent} is holding, and then you will eat the whole thing. Remember, what do we say instead of ‘thank you’? That’s right, we say ‘Amen’!”
Pray the Post-communion prayer (three thank-yous).
7. GODLY PLAY WORK TIME
“Now we’re going to go to our classrooms for time to work with materials or make something.” Dismiss as usual.