December, 2000 - Vol. XXIX No. 3
All About Confirmation
Cursorily ... From the Editor's
Screen
by The Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
This issue is all about Confirmation – where it came from, what it means, and how to prepare people for it. There has been a slow shift in the Episcopal church in the last 20 years, toward early admission to communion and away from confirmation as a rite of passage for 11-13 year olds. This has meant deferring confirmation until it is truly an adult affirmation of faith. Other processes and programs (Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood) have emerged to help to fill the frequently felt need for an adolescent rite of passage. We’ve included a couple of articles about history and origins, several which detail the current practice in parishes and dioceses within and beyond Oregon, and several that speak of preparation process. A major list of resources concludes the package.
We hope this starts a discussion in your parish and your diocese – we’d love to hear the results of your pondering and discussion of these issues! Write to me until February; thereafter to Stephanie Wight at resource@diocese-oregon.org
et cetera…
Little did I know when we started to plan this issue that I would soon be wrestling with diocesan guidelines for confirmation from a different perspective! It is with great sadness that I say farewell to the outstanding Christian Education team here in the Diocese of Oregon. I will take up my new duties in Nevada in February, but I look forward to the great things Oregon will continue to offer the larger church!
Katharine
| A post script to the message from the
Editor . . .
As you know, with this issue of The Vineyard, our fearless editor will be stepping down from her position. But did you know what she will be doing with her new-found free time? Katharine Jefferts Schori, member of the Ministry of Christian Education (and just about every other program group worth being involved in) is the bishop-elect of the Diocese of Nevada. This is great news for the Diocese of Nevada, great news for the House of Bishops, great news for the Jefferts Schori household, but a bit of a bummer for those of us who often would prefer that the world go on unchanged and unchallenged. It seems fitting that our Ministry of Christian Education should need to contemplate this change in this season of Advent, and in an issue devoted to Confirmation. In Advent we anticipate, sometimes with fret and worry, what this ‘new birth’ will mean to us. It is the unknown and it is change and it is wonderful and fearful. Then the dawn breaks, the birthing is complete and a new wonderful-fearful journey begins. The confirmation comes when we open our eyes and realize that God has been in this change, God is change, God is in all and all is God. Thank you Katharine, for all you have done, for all you are, and all that is yet to be. |
|
|
|
|
|
Stephanie Wight |
Barbara Ross |
|
© 2001, Diocese of Oregon
updated 05/03/2003 16:02
contact: kylew@diocese-oregon.org
Bishop-elect
