Explore Your Faith with the Catechumenate
Christian formation may be a term that is unfamiliar to you. Some like to describe it as Sunday School and others as Adult Education. But the term really means more than either of those substitutions suggest. Christian Formation embodies the forming of a follower of Christ. It is education, as well as spiritual growth and discipleship. Christian formation is the lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others, and all creation. Every experience in our lives can provide us with the opportunity to express our faith; the challenge we face is recognizing these opportunities and learning ways to live a sometimes counter-cultural life in a secular world.
At St. John’s, we offer many opportunities for people of all ages and stages to come together every day of the week, to “read, mark, and inwardly digest” the Word of God, the Love of Christ and the many different ways to express our faith. We believe that through Christian Formation we can be agents of Transformation and thus our logo: Formation for Transformation.
This Lent we are introducing a new group of offerings call the Catechumenate. It is an organized time of Christian formation and education that prepares adults for baptism, confirmation, reception and reaffirmation. The course is open to all - members and nonmembers, including adults who are baptized and wish to deepen their faith and grow spiritually. It includes the Dean’s Forum on Sunday morning and/or The Path and The Way of Love on Wednesday evening. For more information please pick up a brochure in the tract rack or visit the Christian Formation page on the website (under Called to Serve).
No matter which courses you choose, those on Sunday or Wednesday or both, participants are encouraged to discern how God is working in their life by reflecting on God’s Word, through prayer and worship, so that they may discern, appreciate and put into practice their God-given gifts for ministry and work for justice and peace. Each participant will have a sponsor who is committed to being present to assist them in their growing life of faith. At the end of the course, participants have the opportunity to be baptized, confirmed, received, or reaffirm their baptismal covenant on Pentecost Sunday, June 9.