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Growing in Faith
Exploring "The Way" in the Episcopal Church |
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Preparing for Confirmation, Reception, or a Re-Affirmation of Faith within the Episcopal Church.
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What is "The Way"? Jesus' call to this disciples was simply "to follow me." The Way acknowledges that being a Christian disciple is more than merely learning about doctrines and historical facts. It is about creating a way of life that empowers us to do the kingdom work that Jesus called us to do.
Any person who seeks to grow in faith through this kind of commitment is encouraged to take this journey with us. By participating in several sessions and experiencing a more intensive spiritual encounter in a mini-retreat along the way, you may discover deeper insights and want to grow more in your relationship to God and the church.
In the Episcopal Church, we symbolize this commitment by affirming our baptismal commitments in the sacramental rite of baptism. For those already baptized by a bishop, this affirmation is made in a formal reception into the church community or by a reaffirmation of faith by those already members of The Episcopal Church.
Our program of preparation seeks to acknowledge the limitations and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our sessions, though limited, will provide us with much to consider as we move toward this important event. Each session in the outline below will have its own resource page with material designed to spark deeper understanding of the basic element of our discipleship.
Some of these classes will be offered as Zoom gatherings, and others will be in person at church due to the interactive components we have planned. Bishop Kevin Nichols is scheduled to visit here on the Sunday after Easter for his pastoral visit during which he will administer Confirmation.
Any person who seeks to grow in faith through this kind of commitment is encouraged to take this journey with us. By participating in several sessions and experiencing a more intensive spiritual encounter in a mini-retreat along the way, you may discover deeper insights and want to grow more in your relationship to God and the church.
In the Episcopal Church, we symbolize this commitment by affirming our baptismal commitments in the sacramental rite of baptism. For those already baptized by a bishop, this affirmation is made in a formal reception into the church community or by a reaffirmation of faith by those already members of The Episcopal Church.
Our program of preparation seeks to acknowledge the limitations and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our sessions, though limited, will provide us with much to consider as we move toward this important event. Each session in the outline below will have its own resource page with material designed to spark deeper understanding of the basic element of our discipleship.
Some of these classes will be offered as Zoom gatherings, and others will be in person at church due to the interactive components we have planned. Bishop Kevin Nichols is scheduled to visit here on the Sunday after Easter for his pastoral visit during which he will administer Confirmation.
SESSION 1: The Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, The Creeds [Nov 14]
The joy and challenge of being Episcopalian is that we engage with faith and Scripture in ways that are sometimes different than many of our neighbors and fellow Christians. This can be both exciting and enriching but also difficult and confusing. In this session we will consider the place of Bible in the life of the Episcopal Church and the impact that the Scriptures have on our individual lives. For us, the creeds are not so much dogmatic formulas that we must sign before we become members of the Church as they are a capsule summary of our community's story through the centuries. While at a more fundamental level, the Scriptures tell the story of the People of God from God's earliest interactions with human beings, the creeds provide us with an outline - a "table of contents," if you will - of the fundamental stories related to us through the Bible.
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) forms part of the foundation of our life as Episcopalians. As part of the "Anglican way," we have adopted a way of living out our faith that is best expressed by the Latin phrase, lex orandi, lex credendi. Loosely translated this means "the law of praying [is] the law of believing." In other words, it is our prayer together that leads to belief and a way of life. We will take a look at the BCP in the Episcopal Church, how we use it, and why it is important to our life as we make this journey of faith together.
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) forms part of the foundation of our life as Episcopalians. As part of the "Anglican way," we have adopted a way of living out our faith that is best expressed by the Latin phrase, lex orandi, lex credendi. Loosely translated this means "the law of praying [is] the law of believing." In other words, it is our prayer together that leads to belief and a way of life. We will take a look at the BCP in the Episcopal Church, how we use it, and why it is important to our life as we make this journey of faith together.
Session 2: Holy Baptism and Confirmation [Jan 9]
In the gospels, Jesus calls people to follow him. We answer this call in our baptism. As we are baptized, each of us is "marked as Christ's own." We live into this call by first discovering our individual areas of giftedness, and then engaging these gifts as an outward expression of God's love and generosity as well as an expression of kingdom purpose.
In our baptism, we made solemn promises that comprise what we know as "the baptismal covenant" with God. Many of us were baptized as children and may need to reassess just what that covenant means for us as individuals and as a community. Confirmation provides a chance for us to make these promises "our own."
In our baptism, we made solemn promises that comprise what we know as "the baptismal covenant" with God. Many of us were baptized as children and may need to reassess just what that covenant means for us as individuals and as a community. Confirmation provides a chance for us to make these promises "our own."
session 3: Holy Eucharist and Prayer [FEB 13]
We take a "deeper dive" into the Holy Eucharist as the centerpiece of our prayer life as disciples in community. In the Eucharist we hear the Word of God and are strengthened by the work of the Holy Spirit for daily living. Over the centuries, many signs and symbols have been incorporated into this most sacred action. At this point in our journey, we will explore the particulars of Eucharistic celebrations in an "instructed Eucharist" where we pause at moments in our celebration for information and for reflection on the deeper meaning available to us.
session 4: Love God, Love your neighbor [MAR 13]
It has often been said: “Actions speak louder than words.” As we prepare to become more deeply committed to the mission and ministry of Jesus, we must take to heart the biblical command, "Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only." By preparing ourselves to fulfill Jesus central teaching "to love one another" we prepare ourselves to live out the baptismal promises to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves; and, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. We do this in community with other likeminded believers. Explore with us just how we have organized ourselves into what we call The Episcopal Church as a way of "walking the talk."
session 5: The Life of Jesus, Holy Week [APR 10]
Jesus called us "to follow" because it is in the pattern of his life that we learn what is essential in the life of faith. This is why we consider our growth in faith as a pilgrimage - making our way by learning the ways of Jesus. The events and ceremonies of Holy Week encapsulate the essential elements of this "Way."
This session class will be held in person at St. Luke's and involves a meditative retreat as part of our preparation for the events and services of Holy Week and Easter.
This session class will be held in person at St. Luke's and involves a meditative retreat as part of our preparation for the events and services of Holy Week and Easter.
The celebration of confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation [APR 24]
The bishop is required to visit each parish in the diocese and a regular basis. During his visitation, scheduled for "Low Sunday" (the first Sunday after Easter), the Bishop of Bethlehem, The Right Rev'd Kevin Nichols, will make his visitation to St. Luke's. At that time, in the name of the whole Church, he will confirm and receive those seeking membership in the Episcopal Church.