Weekly Message
from Bishop Robert Gepert
Many of you received an email invitation from Gennie Callard this week inviting you to the Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation Celebration at Grace Church in Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 19th at 11:00 a.m.
I want to take this time to invite the entire diocese to support our confirmation candidates in making the public proclamation that they want to follow Jesus. There will be a beautiful liturgy, great music and a festive celebration following.
What is wonderful to me about confirmation is that it is not something done to us, but something we do when we hear God's call.
When we choose to be confirmed, received, reaffirmed, we are doing so because our hearts have been set on fire by the Holy Spirit. This important step declares our desire to be more committed Christians. It is not a ceremonial promise, but a real promise before God.
I have always seen the laying-on-of-hands in the Confirmation service as a way of commissioning missionaries.
When I anoint the confirmation candidates with Chrism, which is the fragrant oil used in the Anglican tradition for baptisms and ordinations as well as confirmations, it is symbolic of strengthening the confirmands for the mission ahead of them.
Come to the Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation Celebration and welcome these new missionaries into their deeper commitment.
Sincerely,
The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert
VIII Western Michigan
The above photos are from the Confirmation Retreat at Camp Newaygo last weekend. Photos by Barbara Traxler.
from Bishop Robert Gepert
Many of you received an email invitation from Gennie Callard this week inviting you to the Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation Celebration at Grace Church in Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 19th at 11:00 a.m.
I want to take this time to invite the entire diocese to support our confirmation candidates in making the public proclamation that they want to follow Jesus. There will be a beautiful liturgy, great music and a festive celebration following.
What is wonderful to me about confirmation is that it is not something done to us, but something we do when we hear God's call.
When we choose to be confirmed, received, reaffirmed, we are doing so because our hearts have been set on fire by the Holy Spirit. This important step declares our desire to be more committed Christians. It is not a ceremonial promise, but a real promise before God.
I have always seen the laying-on-of-hands in the Confirmation service as a way of commissioning missionaries.
When I anoint the confirmation candidates with Chrism, which is the fragrant oil used in the Anglican tradition for baptisms and ordinations as well as confirmations, it is symbolic of strengthening the confirmands for the mission ahead of them.
Come to the Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation Celebration and welcome these new missionaries into their deeper commitment.
Sincerely,
The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert
VIII Western Michigan
The above photos are from the Confirmation Retreat at Camp Newaygo last weekend. Photos by Barbara Traxler.
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