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
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