Dear Co-conspirators in the Gospel,
If you attended any of our worship offerings last week, then you heard Father Christopher mention an upcoming “Basics of the Faith” or “Episcopal 101” class. Mark your calendars! Our first class will be Wednesday, September 29th at 6:00pm and will continue weekly until November 3rd.
Classes will meet in-person the South Room and there will be a virtual option as well. All are welcome!
While the Episcopal Church recognizes that all baptized with water in the Name of the Triune God are full members of Christ’s one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, we also recognize the need to make this faith our own. After this period of six weeks, participants may choose to be confirmed, received, or reaffirm their baptismal vows:
- Confirmation: the sacramental rite by which baptized Christians make a mature, public affirmation of faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism (BCP 412).
- Reception: Baptized persons who have been confirmed in another church (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, and others) may wish to be received into the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion.
- Reaffirmation: Those who have returned from a time of religious inactivity to an active practice of faith may publicly reaffirm the vows made at their baptism.
If you are unsure where you fall, please speak with either Fr. Christopher or myself; and of course, further discernment is always an option! Whether you’re new to the Anglican way of Christianity, or have been here for a while now, this is a great opportunity to either learn the ropes or explore your own faith. We will be exploring the Sacraments, the Church Year, The Book of Common Prayer, and more. If there is particular engagement around one aspect of our common life, we may use this to inform future offerings.
RSVPs are not required, but to help us get an idea of how many to expect, please email pam@thedoubter.org.
O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 819)
Shield the joyous,
Allen
