I mentioned recently from the pulpit of the individual Christian’s need to grow into the full stature of Jesus Christ, to become mature in the Christian faith. The Episcopal Church marks this stature in the sacramental rite of Confirmation. From the Catechism of The Book of Common Prayer 1979 we learn:
Q. What is Confirmation?
A. Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Q. What is required of those to be confirmed?
A. Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Q. What is required of those to be confirmed?
A. It is required of those to be confirmed that they have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
The next Confirmation service in the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan will be on April 14 at 2pm at St. Christopher’s in Grand Blanc.
I will offer Confirmation instruction on Saturday, March 31 from 9am to Noon at St. John’s for those who desire to express a mature commitment to Christ and be prayed for by a bishop in Apostolic Succession, the Church’s tangible, historic line back to the first Apostles of Jesus.
If you were Confirmed in the Roman Catholic or Lutheran traditions and would like to make a formal commitment to Christ in the Episcopal Church, you can be Received by Bishop Catherine Waynick at the April 14 service with the following words: “… we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion” (BCP, page 418).
If you have already been Confirmed in the Episcopal Church and would like to Reaffirm your faith, Bishop Waynick would pray the following words: “… may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom” (BCP, page 419).
I invite you to prayerfully consider the instruction and sacramental rites offered by the Episcopal Church. The Church’s symbols are outward expressions of the life-transforming substance desperately needed in our day. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.