Confirmation services took place for the Diocese of New Westminster, April 21st and 28th at Christ Church Cathedral. These two services marked the last times that Bishop Michael would preach and preside as the Bishop of New Westminster at confirmation services.
Both services were very well attended. Every parish involved in the two services had a healthy contingent of members present to support their confirmands. There were 37 candidates confirmed at the April 21st service from 6 different parishes and two Reaffirmations from 2 different parishes. April 28th there were 49 candidates confirmed from 12 different parishes and 1 Reception into the Anglican Communion.Bishop Michael opened his address at both services by reminding those in attendance that these would be his last diocesan confirmation services as bishop. He went on to talk about the power of words and how words can be used to both hurt and heal and reminded those about to be confirmed that the word of God was made flesh in Jesus Christ.
After the dismissals, Bishop Michael remained at the chancel entrance in front of the Altar for photographs and each parish group of newly confirmed enthusiastically assembled to have their photograph taken with the Bishop.
Images: Top and homepage Sebastian Alejandro Molina, Maria Ester McPherson (Sebastian and Maria led the Prayers of the People at the April 28th service), Bishop Michael and All Saints, Agassiz, Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. David Price. Below: Bishop Michael poses with four of the six newly confirmed from St. Andrew’s, Langley