belonging and believing...

One of the many highlights of 2013 will be at the beginning of the year, as we host Bishop Paul visiting All Souls to lead a Confirmation Service on Sunday January 27th at 3pm. Do plan on being there - it's an opportunity for all four of our congregations (10.30am, 4.30pm, Ivybridge and Mondays) to celebrate the declaration of faith and service that Confirmation represents.

vicar's letter ~ november 2012

There's plenty to write about Confirmation, but a short letter like this really isn't the place for a theology lesson! Instead, here are three groups of people who might want to respond to the opportunity that this gives us: an adult growing into faith One of the most exciting things about All Souls is how many people have started a journey back towards a Christian faith they tasted in childhood - in being baptised, through a church school education or Sunday School. If that's you, then it may well be that you're now at a point where Confirmation would be the perfect marker post to set down on that journey. Confirmation is a public declaration of an adult faith and a commitment to serve others through that faith. The three Confirmation sessions, for adults thinking about getting Confirmed, start this Monday (26th November) at 8pm here in church. Let me know you're going to come! a teenager stepping towards adult faith For children growing up in a Christian home, Confirmation can be an important milestone in the teenage years - a moment to publically take hold of childhood faith and commit to growing in service and commitment. We tend to encourage later Confirmation here than some churches - around Year 10 onwards seems most appropriate to the language of 'adult faith', though I'm happy to chat through. We will be talking about it in Underground and offering preparation there. a younger teen wishing to receive communion PCC agreed last week that we could offer the opportunity for older children to receive Communion preparation from secondary school onwards, though there is still the necessity to have been baptised before receiving Communion. Not all will feel ready to start receiving Communion, but the sessions will encourage them to think about where they are on their journey and to talk with their parents about what's therefore appropriate. The sessions I'll be leading over the next three Sundays will get us talking about baptism, communion and confirmation - giving space to think, talk and ask questions. It may well then be that for some, Bishop Paul's visit will be the right time to start receiving Communion. Others may wait for later in the year or for another time in their journey of faith. Do, please, be in contact with any questions you've got - and do put that service on January 27th in your diary: it's going to be a great celebration of faith!

22nd Nov 2012