Remembrance cups
You will need: plastic cups / goblets, permanent or multisurface markers, tissue paper, sequins, foil, PVA glue
Think about the elements of ‘remembrance’ in the Last Supper story and in Holy Communion. Ask each child to use the markers and / or collage materials to decorate one of the cups as a reflection of remembering Jesus. Children will have their own ideas on how to reflect who Jesus is to them and may decide to use symbols of their own or they might opt for more conventional Christian symbols. It may be useful to talk about the symbols you might find in church such as doves, fire, crosses and shells before you start, but the children will probably amaze you with symbols of their own making. Allow time at the end of the activity for children to share what they have done.
Special meal plates
Think about the Last Supper and / or Holy Communion being a special meal and invite the children to talk about special meals they have had at home or elsewhere. Give each child a paper plate and ask them to use the collage items to create ‘food’ to reflect their own special meal. If they could have anything, what would it be and what would make it special? Again, this is a great craft to spend time sharing at the end to see the fascinating ways in which children have linked the story to their own lives.
Homemade ‘bread’ shapes
This craft involves making simple scones – much easier and quicker than baking bread but with a similar effect. Grease the baking tray and preheat the oven to gas mark seven. Rub the butter into the flour to make breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and mix the crumbs with enough milk to make soft, but not sticky, dough. You will need to judge this, so add a tablespoon or so at a time. Divide the dough between the children and let them create shapes that remind them of the story of the Last Supper or of what they have seen at a Holy Communion service. Place the shapes on the baking tray and bake for about ten minutes until they start to turn golden. Leave the shapes to cool and then serve with butter and / or jam. Create a ‘special meal’ feeling to this eating time to emphasise what they have heard in the Last Supper story. You might want to decorate placemats or fold napkins and invite the children to say grace before you share the shapes.
Under-5s | Communion dough mat
You will need: play dough, printed play dough mats
Print out the play dough mat and laminate it. Lamination means you will be able to use the mat over and over again and it will also help you to get the play dough off cleanly. After telling the story of the Last Supper and / or discussing the theme of remembering Jesus, let the children fill in the shapes with play dough and make a ‘special meal’ on the plate shape. This can be quite a reflective activity, so use the time to chat with the children and explore their responses to what they have heard.
