Each year, during the season of Lent, a time of intentional preparation is offered for adults who desire to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Anglican Church of Canada, or to reaffirm their commitment to Christ and the church. It is also helpful for anyone who would like a refresher or to deepen their faith. All are welcome.
Celebration of Holy Baptism will take place at the Great Vigil of Easter, Saturday, April 4, and Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation on Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m.
Requirements
While information will be shared, the primary purpose of the time is the formation of the inner life and Christian community. As such, it requires a sincere commitment on the part of participants.
For those being baptized at the Great Vigil of Easter, Saturday, April 4: the scheduled sessions, including Sundays in Lent, the liturgies of Holy Week, and the Second Sunday of Easter. They may continue through May 10.
Those being confirmed, received or reaffirming their faith on Sunday, May 2, are strongly encouraged to begin the First Sunday in Lent, February 22, and required Sundays April 19 through May 10. All participants are asked to register using the form below.
Baptism, confirmation or something else?
Although some come to the class with a clearly defined outcome or hope, that's not required or even expected. As you consider what you desire, a few definitions could be helpful.
- Baptism is appropriate for those who have never been baptized. The Anglican Church recognizes baptisms that were performed in other churches with water and in the name of the Trinity. That includes many mainstream traditions, and if you're not sure, it's fine to sort out in conversation.
- Confirmation is appropriate for those who have been baptized.
- Reception is intended for those who were confirmed as in Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Methodist, and some other traditions.
- Reaffirmation is intended for those who were previously confirmed and are returning to the Christian life and faith after a season away.
Topics
As preparation for Baptism we'll consider:
- The Mystery of God and how we come to describe the indescribable
- Jesus the Christ, what we know from scripture and the experience of his closest companions
- The Holy Spirit, and how people from the earliest days have discerned and felt the divine in Christian community
- The Bible, its genres, organization and use in the Anglican tradition
- Baptism and Eucharist, and our beliefs and practices around these holy events "Sacraments" given to us by Jesus himself
- Baptismal service, vows, and living them in our daily lives
For confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation, we'll continue with these areas of exploration
- Confirmation and its relationship to baptism
- The Life of Prayer, in public and in private
- Reconciliation as a personal and corporate practice
- Gifts of the Spirit
- And our own gifts for ministry
Registration for this series is available in the form below.