First Communion Sunday

We celebrated Holy Cross day throughout the Chaplaincy, rather than the Sunday after Trinity, to mark an important occasion - the admission to Communion for the first time (before Confirmation) of a group of eight children and one Mum, at the Eucharist up at Alhuarin. There were seventy people there altogether, some having travelled up from Calahonda to support candidates from there, and others from the Los Boliches congregation. It was good to be able to share leadership of the service with Caroline, who together with Sandy had arranged the preparation course. Quite a remarkable undertaking without a permanent chaplain, although Acting Archdeacon Geoff was happy to led his encouragement to the initiative.

The children entered with the ministers in procession, with a simple cross carried in front by one of the children, also a crown of thorns and a white winding cloth. The cross was made for last Good Friday's service, and worshippers have since then become attached to it. For this occasion a floor support mounting was made so it could stand freely next to the altar. The crown of thorns and cloth were added by children during my sermon. It was a happy family occasion that many members of the congregation found uplifting. 

After the service, festively decorated cup cakes and Buck's Fizz were on offer on the terrace outside the main church door, while people chatted and took photographs.

There's such a lot of work entailed in gathering a group of young learners together from different locations for five preparation classes, let alone the preparation for the service itself. It was a marvellous achievement and an expression of the health and vitality of pastoral life here. I'm so glad it came to its conclusion at a time that I was here to be a small part of it.