February, 2004 Calendar In This Issue: A Sermon on the Occasion of The Feast of the Epiphany Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras Fighting Fundamentalism Lenten Series: Meeting Women Mystics The Christian Journey: A seven week Lenten Class and Retreat Are You New to St. A's? Vestry Candidates Statements What's a Pre-loved Book? Feasting and Fasting: the Lenten Observance

by The Rev. Joyce Stickney

"At your baptism you were made a disciple of Christ, and we signed you with the cross. Come now to receive the laying on of hands with prayer, to strengthen you for the work of God's kingdom"
        - (The Laying on of Hands for Confirmation, New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 387).

These are the words inviting candidates to come forward for the sacrament of Confirmation. We are a Baptismal people in a Baptismal Church, each of us grounded in our baptismal identity. I often wonder, "When does the year really begin?" Liturgically we are taught that the church year begins not in January, but with the first Sunday of Advent. In many ways it seems that the church year and our life begins and ends and is reborn each year in the Easter waters of baptism. At the heart of our worship stands the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection - the paschal mystery - and our participation in that mystery through baptism and eucharist.

What is Confirmation? After one's baptism the sacramental rites of confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation are the next steps. Originally, baptism meant a series of ritual actions: catechesis, preparation by prayers and fasting, the water bath, post-baptismal laying on of hands and anointing, and first communion. Over time, these unified events constituting initiation into the church were separated into discreet parts. Some, like the catechumenate, were lost altogether, while others took on a significance of their own. The roots of Confirmation were in the laying on of hands and anointing that followed baptism, but by the middle ages it had become a separate rite celebrated by the bishop on his visit. In the 1979 Prayer Book (pg. 413), Confirmation is now intended to be a mature public affirmation of baptismal faith.

When that affirmation is made by someone who has already been confirmed in a church (we as Anglicans are in official communion with Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran), and who now wishes to live out that faith in the Episcopal Church, the rite is called Reception. When an already confirmed Episcopalian - for whatever reason - chooses to make a formal recommitment of faith, it is called Reaffirmation.

Class Description: "Let us advance towards maturity" (Hebrews 6:2) will be the focus of the Christian Journey class. Using "The Discovery Series" teaching program (developed in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas), this class has three parts: All Things Episcopal (an instructed Eucharist and the Episcopal Church's history, traditions, and governance), a Journey of Faith (the Bible, Trinity, Reign of God, who Jesus is, the Creeds and Baptism), and a Path to Spiritual Maturity (the importance of Bible study and different forms of prayer). Midway through the class, March 12-13, there will be a one night retreat at the Cathedral Center including a tour of the facility.

Who should attend? Whether you are brand new to the Episcopal Church and want to know more, a cradle Episcopalian seeking renewal, or one who might be ready for the Sacrament of The Affirmation of Baptismal Vows, all are welcome to attend this class. We will meet on Sundays during the education hour, 10-11 AM, in the Mother Jones Room beginning February 15 and concluding March 28. Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, June 27 when Bishop Jon Bruno will be visiting us. The class and retreat cost is $100/person and scholarships are available. Please sign up on the patio during coffee hour or speak with me if you are interested in participating in this Lenten Christian Journey experience.

Copyright © 2004 St. Augustine by-the-Sea