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Baptism & Confirmation 2019

2019 Confirmation/Inquirer’s Class

 

The rubrics found in the Book of Common Prayer on page 412 state that, “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.”

 

While there has been no published date for our bishop to visit with us this year, it is expected that he will be here before the year’s end.  In anticipation of his visit, we are offering a confirmation/inquirer’s class for those who have not yet been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church, would like to reaffirm their confirmation vows, or who would simply like to ‘bone up’ on their understanding of the Episcopal Church.

 

Please read the information posted below; and if you would like to be a participant, contact Fr. Barry at RevKubler@gmail.com.  Or, you can call him at 678-699-4027. 

 

                                                          Schedule

 

This will be a 10 week course.  Classes will meet from 6:30pm to 8pm on the following dates:

 

March 18th, 25th

April 1st, 8th, 15th, (no class on the 22nd) and 29th

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

 

*    A curriculum will be provided.

*   The class is reserved for those 16 years of age, or older.

*   The basic text for this course is ‘Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers’ - Exploring Christian Faith by Ian Markham & C.K. Robertson.  Readings from the text will be assigned prior to each class.  It is available on-line from Amazon for $12.00 in paperback, and $8.00 on your Kindle.

*   Classes will be a combination of outside reading, lecture and question & answer.

*    All classes will begin at 6:30PM and end no later than 8PM.

*    Attendees should bring a Bible, writing materials and an open mind and heart.

*   There is no such thing as a ‘dumb question.’ 

*   Good answers usually leave one with more questions.

*   There will be a short (15 minute) break in each class.

*   If you’d like to bring snacks to share, you are invited to do so.

 

Again, if you are interested in being a participant in this course, please contact Fr. Barry at RevKubler@gmail.com, or telephone him at 678-699-4027.

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From the Book of Common Prayer, page 298

 

"Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.

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"Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.

 

"Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their candidates.

 

"It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of his Church."

 

At St Peter’s we strive to keep the traditional days of Baptism: Easter Sunday, The Feast of Pentecost (fifty days after Easter), All Saints Sunday (the Sunday on or after November 1) and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the first Sunday after January 6). In addition to these days, special arrangements can be made for Baptisms on Sundays during the “white seasons” of the Church, namely the seasons of Christmas, (December 25-January 6), and the season of Easter (the fifty days following Easter Sunday). Baptisms on other Sundays and so-called Private Baptisms are strongly discouraged except for pastoral emergencies.

 

It is expected that all candidates for Baptism, or their parents should they be infants or small children, be prepared for Baptism by a member of the clergy. The best process for that is our Newcomers’ and Inquirers’ classes, a four-week introduction to the faith, the Episcopal Church and St Peter’s. These classes are generally offered twice a year.

 

Confirmation From the Book of Common Prayer, page 412

 

"In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.

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"Those baptized as adults, unless baptized with laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands."

 

Our Prayer Book does not set an age for when Confirmation should be experienced. The primary concern named above is that the candidate be able and ready to “make a mature public affirmation of their faith.” This is necessarily a free act and should be taken with great care.

 

Adolescent Confirmation has a long history in the Episcopal Church but is not necessarily the norm at St Peter’s. Adults as well as younger members have been confirmed. Age is not a prerequisite but a voluntary, studied and faithful ability to speak the vows of the covenant of Baptism is.

 

Confirmation preparation is expected and is planned and scheduled prior to a visit of our Bishop or our Assistant Bishops. The preparation generally includes an extended exploration of the Baptismal Covenant, the history and beliefs of the Episcopal Church and the importance and impact of the rite of Confirmation.

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