Pathfinders

No. This course is open to anyone curious to learn more in a warm and accepting atmosphere. Doubters, believers, cynics, and skeptics are welcome. No question is off the table, and no one will be shamed or pressured because of their beliefs, questions, or background.

Confirmation is an ancient rite of passage in which the bishop of a diocese (region) lays hands upon those who have been baptized at an earlier date to pray that God will strengthen their faith and empower them for service.

For those baptized as young children, this rite allows an opportunity to "confirm" the promises made on their behalf by parents and godparents.

For those baptized as adults, Confirmation is an opportunity to reaffirm the promises made at baptism and receive the laying on of hands, just as the first apostles did. By virtue of the Bishop's ministry, Confirmation connects us to the fellowship of the apostles and to the universal church across time and space.

If you are not yet baptized and would like to explore the possibilities, we would love to have a conversation with you! Click here to learn more.

Reception is a formal rite of welcome, in which the Bishop of a diocese (region) lays hands upon those who have been confirmed (or the equivalent) in another Christian tradition to officially receive them into the Episcopal Church and the Worldwide Anglican Communion.

Generally speaking, you would be Confirmed if you have never before made a public, mature commitment to Christ as an adolescent or adult. If you have been Confirmed in a liturgical Christian denomination (such as Lutheran, Roman Catholic, or Orthodox) you would be Received. If you have made a public, mature commitment to Christ in a non-liturgical denomination (such as Baptist or Pentecostal), our clergy would seek a conversation with you about the nature of your previous experience and then make a determination.

Absolutely. The course is meant in part to help you earnestly discern whether you feel called to be Confirmed or Received. We honor and respect each individual's decision. If at the at the conclusion of the course you choose not to be Confirmed or Received, we will continue celebrating your presence at St. Bart's and welcome you to continue engaging however you feel led.

We will make use of a variety of resources, including the book Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices  by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shobe. A copy of the book, along with all other course materials will be provided free of charge for those who register in advance. 

You are still welcome to participate as you are available. Let us know when you will need to miss, and we can provide readings and other resources to help you catch up.

Pathfinders is a primarily in-person experience. However, we are committed to offering online opportunities and are currently gauging the interest and possibilities for a virtual track. Please register for the class and indicate on the form your desire for remote/virtual engagement.

Because newcomers tend to have unique needs and perspectives, we ask that anyone who has taken this or a similar course (such as The Transformed Life) in the last three years refrain from participating. We instead encourage you to consider the Education for Ministry program, which offers an excellent course of study for confirmed members seeking to grow in knowledge and ministry. Please contact Bailey Regan for more information (bregan@stbarts.org).