Preparation for Confirmation, Reaffirmation or Reception

We hope to put together a group that will begin prepartion for Confirmation, the Raffirmation of Faith or Reception later in November or early December 2024.

The Holy Spirit bestows seven gifts—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety, and fear of the Lord—to assist us in our mission and witness. Confirmation is the opportunity for the baptized to deep our baptismal life calling us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. Confirmation is a personal, public confession of the Faith made especially by those who were baptized as as a child.

Read more about Confirmation, Reaffirmation and Reception or the other pages linked under Groups and Community > Sacaments / Services

A Reaffirmation of Faith is for those who have in the past been confirmed but wish to renew that commitment by walking with others in preparation and a review of the basics of the Christian faith. It is often significantly enlightening for those who may have studied the catechism earlier in their life but now, from yet another perspective, are able to take a fresh look at what it means to be Christian.

Reception refers to making a similar commitment before the Bishop having been confirmed in another Christian denomination. It is an opportunity to publically and "officially" be received into the Anglican Communion and while far from necessary to participate in the Anglican Church, can be a meaningful way to express one's faith and again, participate with others as they journey through study forward in faith.

Baptism is the sacrament (sign) of membership in the Body of Christ. All of the other Sacraments serve to strengthen us in the primary relationships we celebrate and recongnize in baptism. The baptismal covenant, commitments, vows and promises made at baptism are answers to fundamental questions about what we believe and are asked of those who proclaim Christian faith as disciples of Jesus Christ:

  • Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
  • Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
  • Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
  • Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Saviour?
  • Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
  • Do you promise to obey him as your Lord?
  • Do you believe in God the Father?
  • Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
  • Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
  • Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
  • Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
  • Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
  • Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?
  • Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
  • Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation and respect, sustain, and renew the life of the earth?

See the Book of Alternative Services (page 151 ff)

Read through the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer (p. 554) or in a more contemporary form in the Episcopal Prayer Book (An Outline of the Faith on page 845)

 

Faith and Science Course – FREE at Fuller Equip

Are faith and science incompatible? In Where to Start: Faith & Science, you’ll learn how to approach this topic with humility and discernment, whether you’re in a classroom, at a dinner table, or in a Bible study. Led by BioLogos President and astronomer Deborah Haarsma, this is an introductory course to integrating faith and science, with optional “Going Deeper” sections throughout for a more thorough exploration of the topics.

Discover the necessary relational and intellectual tools to navigate important scientific, theological, and philosophical questions surrounding faith and science. This course will provide you with a solid foundation for engaging in constructive and respectful conversations in pursuit of truth.

Where to Start: Faith & Science Registration page

Living with Dying

A five-part presentation and conversation series called 'Living with Dying' will held in the Cathedral on five consecutive Wednesday evenings in May and June.

The series will consider many of the important topics related to death and the dying process. Topics will include: End of life care options (with presentations from Palliative Care and Hospice professionals); Medical assistance in dying (with a lawyer sharing legal dimensions and interpretations of MAiD legislation); and Christian teaching on death and dying.

All sessions will run from 7:00 p.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m.

15 May: Introductory Session ~ An informal conversation facilitated by Dean Geoffrey Hall, introducing some of the big ideas and considerations around end-of-life issues. We'll look forward in this session also to hearing from audience members about the most pressing concerns & questions on their minds regarding living and dying well.

22 May: Palliative Care Session ~ Palliative Care is a way to care for patients with life-threatening illnesses, with a focus on quality-of-life – including the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. We look forward to having the chance in this session to meet and chat with some members of the local (hospital-based) and extramural palliative care teams.

29 May: Hospice Care Session ~ Hospice Fredericton provides excellence in end-of-life care and bereavement support to palliative patients and their families. Come along to this session to meet a representative of the specialized team from Hospice House, our city's 10-bed residential facility. (*Special note: The "grief library" at Hospice House is named in honour of our very own Penny Ericson!)

5 June: MAiD Session ~ In June 2016, the Parliament of Canada passed federal legislation that allows eligible adults in Canada to request medical assistance in dying. Come along to this session to hear from a practicing lawyer updates and about legal dimensions and interpretations of the Medical Assistance in Dying legislation.

12 June: Faith Perspective Session ~ Our concluding session of the series will consider the important Christian teaching(s) regarding end-of-life questions and considerations. Come join facilitator Archbishop David Edwards for this conversation.

Download the leaflet

Valuable advance reading: “Faith Seeking Understanding – Medical Assistance in Dying” Reflections by Canadian Anglicans. Watch our calendar for suggested downloads for each session. Read it online or order a book from anglican.ca. Visit our YouTube Channel playlist for video.

Accumulated Faith – Peter Marty

Faith is a way of life that acquires its layers and contours incrementally, often imperceptibly.

Jason and I retreated to the ICU waiting room to talk about his mother’s precipitous decline. Moments earlier the attending physician had spoken of her imminent death. “Six to 12 hours—maybe,” he said. I wanted to chat with Jason.

Marie is very familiar to me from our congregation; her son far less so. A well-employed 44-year-old techie, he doesn’t take to religion. Best I can tell, it feels superfluous to his larger contentment in life. Because he looked uncomfortable with what was going on that day, I asked him if he was. “Yeah, I am. I don’t wanna be here.”  Continue reading ...

by Peter W. Marty in the February 2024 Christian Century
Published on January 16, 2024