This Fall, I am excited to be introducing a new approach to Adult Confirmation classes. The reality today is that it is nearly impossible for a candidate (or a priest!) to be available for a one-hour class 12 weeks in a row. Who has three months’ worth of uninterrupted Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings? I know that I don’t!
So, we are introducing a “module” approach to Confirmation classes. To be confirmed, there are six 2-hour modules one must take – Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist, The Daily Office (Morning & Evening Prayer), Prayer, Holy Scripture, and Polity/Governance/Stewardship/Lay Leadership.
Each season (Fall, Spring, Summer), the modules will be offered for one to take as their schedule allows – one doesn’t need to take them in a particular order. You can take all the classes in one season, or you can take them over a period of a few years – whichever approach you prefer.
Since this is a new approach, and Bishop Daniel is coming in November, this Fall, we will offer each module twice (once on a Thursday from 9:00-11:00 AM, once on a Sunday, 12:00-2:00 PM – light lunch will be provided on Sundays) but candidates only need to attend one of the two classes per module. Classes will be in the Library Conference Room on the first floor of Satterlee Hall.
I encourage any and all adults to take these classes – not only those who are seeking to be confirmed. Perhaps you were confirmed 50+ years ago and would like a refresher course (particularly if you were confirmed prior to the 1979 Prayer Book). In my previous parish, each year there would be a few adults who had been confirmed as a teenager decades ago, and took the class. When the bishop visited, they received the laying on of hands and renewed their Baptismal Vows (liturgy is found on p. 413 in the BCP). In each case, it was a very poignant, moving thing to witness. It became “a thing” at Christ the King, and as a result, we developed a culture of well-catechized adults, which I believe is critically important in this post-Christendom age in which we live.
Here is the schedule this Fall:
1. The Holy Eucharist: Sunday, August 23 and Thursday, August 27 (pick one)
2. The Daily Office: Sunday, August 30 and Thursday, September 3 (pick one)
3. Prayer: Sunday, September 13 and Thursday, September 17 (pick one) – Mtr. Paula will facilitate
4. Holy Scripture: Thursday, September 24 and Sunday, September 27(pick one) – Mtr. Paula will facilitate
5. Polity/Governance/Stewardship/Lay Leadership: Thursday, October 1 and Sunday, October 11 (pick one) – Fr. Richard and Mtr. Paula will co-facilitate
6. Holy Baptism: Thursday, October 22 and Sunday, October 25 (pick one)
I am excited to introduce these classes and this approach to The Advent. It is a privilege to journey alongside you as together we seek to “continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.”
Prior to each class (especially for the Sunday classes that serve lunch), please reserve your spot by emailing Jenny Schroeder at jschroeder@churchofadvent.org.
Your fellow sojourner in Christ,
Fr. Richard+
