The rite of initiation into the Christian Church is Baptism. Most of us have been baptized (and if not, I’d love to talk more with you). All baptized members of the church are considered full members. However, as we grow older, the rites of Confirmation and Reception are offered as a mature, public affirmation of one’s faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism, as lived out through the traditions and practices of the Episcopal Church.
If you haven’t noticed, I am in love with the Episcopal Church. This love relationship began while in my 30’s when I decided to reconnect with organized religion, and finding the denomination of my childhood to be a poor fit for my world view and personal ethics, I wandered into an Episcopal Church and fell in love. I loved the way we used our minds, our spirit, and our bodies in worship. I loved the compelling sermons and the warmth that emanated from the gathered assembly. I loved that people seemed to be in church out of joy and a search for deeper meaning rather than out of a sense of obligation or fear of retribution. I loved that women could rise into full leadership and that all configurations of family and partnerships were celebrated.
However, at first I didn’t say I was an Episcopalian. Instead, I’d tell people I was the religion of my childhood. My Irish-Italian blood seemed to have an old religious marker in its DNA, and I had quite a time untangling myself from my cultural bias of what constituted a legitimate church. But then, I was invited to be a Eucharistic Minister, and that in order to do so, I had to be confirmed (or received if I had already been confirmed in another denomination). That would mean “converting” from my old religion to the Episcopal faith, and I had to either fish or cut bait. I had been active in the Episcopal Church for a few years, but mentally affiliating with a church to which I was no longer connected, and it occurred to me that perhaps it was time to commit to the spiritual home that was nurturing me rather than the one that was no longer a part of my life. And so, at the altar of Grace Cathedral by Bishop Catherine Roskam of New York, I was confirmed an Episcopalian. It was a pivotal moment in my life.
Our tradition is a wide tent. We live our tag line “everyone is welcome”, which means we draw people from many denominations and backgrounds. We welcome to our table people who have a ton of religious background, and those who have none. Our core belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Creator of all and our minimal dogma makes a wide door for those who want to claim the Episcopal Church as their spiritual home.
For some, the public affirmation of faith through the lens of our amazing church is an important step. For me, this step demonstrated my fidelity to God through a church that embraced me and empowered me to deepen my relationship with the Divine. I felt strongly about committing myself to a church that had and continues to do so much for me and for the world. Being confirmed as an Episcopalian allowed me to make public my loyalty and commitment to a religious tradition that was aligned with my core beliefs and values. I came to realize that the Episcopal Church stood for all that I believed about equality, justice, personal connection to God, community, and the presence and expression of God in our world, and I was and am proud to call myself an Episcopalian.
Perhaps you are at the same juncture. If you are a regular worshiper at St. James’ but have not been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, I invite you to consider this step. If you are unsure, let this Easter season be a time of discernment. Bring the question to God in prayer. Ponder whether or not claiming a particular denomination makes a difference for you. One excellent way to learn more about the Episcopal Church is to attend our upcoming class – “Being Episcopalian: Claiming your Christian Faith” (see this post). This class is open to every parishioner, but might be particularly helpful for those who know only St. James’ and are curious about the wider denomination in which we are situated.
Whether or not you are confirmed or received, know that you are an integral and amazing part of the Body of Christ. Our community is made more whole by your presence and participation, and we are deeply blessed to claim you as our brother or sister in Christ.
-Lori