This weekend, we start an online Inquirers Class series. All are welcome to join!
We’ll meet four weeks in a row on Zoom, 7pm–8:30pm on Sunday evenings. Each week will focus on one topic, with a short presentation from me and then some time for questions and discussion:
March 13: Baptism
March 20: Eucharist
March 27: The Episcopal Church
April 3: The Anglican Communion
Want to join? Register here for the Zoom link.
Part of the hope is that these classes could prepare adults for confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of baptismal vows. For Easter Vigil, we will go to Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, where Bishop Ian Douglas will offer those three rites.
Are you considering confirmation or something like it? Here’s how to tell which of these rites might apply to you. Please email me if you’d like more information!
Confirmation
If you’ve been baptized in any Christian church (including the Episcopal Church) but were never confirmed, you might want to seek confirmation. Read more about confirmation here.
According to the Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, confirmation is:
Those who were baptized at an early age … are expected to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop (BCP, p. 412).
Reception
If you’ve been baptized and confirmed in another Christian church but not received into the Episcopal Church, you might want to seek reception. Read more about reception here.
The Episcopal Dictionary of the Church says the following of reception:
Baptized persons who have been members of another Christian fellowship and who wish to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church may make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism in the presence of a bishop.
Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows
If you’ve already been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church but want to make a public reaffirmation of your faith, with the laying on of hands by a bishop, you might want to seek the reaffirmation rite. People sometimes seek this when they’re going through a hard time or a major life transition: marriage or divorce, graduation from college, etc. Read more about reaffirmation here.
The Episcopal Dictionary of the Church explains of reaffirmation:
These might be persons returning to the church after a period of unbelief or those who have entered a new level of spiritual life. The BCP does not specify who these persons are, and a variety of interpretation exists.