baptism & confirmation
Baptism
Holy Baptism is the sacrament that signifies a person’s entrance and full initiation into the Church. In baptism, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever. It is an indissoluble bond wherein we are united with Christ and one another. Holding baptisms during our Sunday services is important to us, because at that time, all baptized Christians in the congregation renew their own baptismal promises and make a renewed commitment to support the newly baptized person(s).
St. Stephen’s recognizes and offers baptisms for all individuals, regardless of age or background. Generally, baptisms in the Episcopal Church occur one of four feast days: the feast of the Baptism of our Lord in early January; the Easter Vigil in early spring; the day of Pentecost in late spring; and All Saints’ Day in early November. Baptisms may also be held on other Sundays through arrangement with the church.
If you are seeking for your children to be baptized, please contact our clergy, or Jeremy Godwin, our Director of Formation. Jeremy will then meet with you to instruct and prepare for the baptism. If you are an adult seeking baptism, the Adult Inquirer’s Class is typically used as preparation. Please see below for more information.
Confirmation
Confirmation is when one who is baptized at a young age makes “a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 412). Those who are baptized as adults may also make the same affirmation and commitment. To prepare for confirmation, St. Stephen’s offers two different classes:
Adult Inquirer’s Class
This class typically meets for 6-8 sessions prior to the bishop’s visitation each year. We use Jenifer Gamber’s Your Faith, Your Life, along with other materials. Topics include: the Bible; the history, theology, liturgy, and structure of the Episcopal Church; spiritual practices; and ministry and discernment. Specific meeting dates and times are posted each year once the date of the bishop’s visitation has been announced. This class is also for anyone who is interested in being received into the Episcopal Church from another denomination and for anyone simply wanting to learn more about the Episcopal Church.
Youth Inquirer’s Class
This class is for all youth (6th-12th grade) who are interested in confirmation and are ready to make that mature affirmation of faith. We typically meet once a week for 8 sessions prior to the bishop’s visitation each year. We use Jenifer Gamber’s My Faith, My Life, along with other materials. Topics are similar to the Adult Inquirer’s curriculum, but they are geared specifically to the developmental needs and concerns of youth. Emphasis is particularly placed on spiritual practices and discernment. Specific meeting dates and times are posted each year once the date of the bishop’s visitation has been announced.
If you are interested in participating in either of these classes, please contact Jeremy Godwin, our Director of Formation.