"The first thing I discovered," Bishop Michael said as he pointed out the Bishop's Seat in the chancel of Christ Church Cathedral, "is that it's not a very comfortable seat. And that's an apt description of what our Christian lives can be like when we invite the Holy Spirit into them." He was speaking to 40 candidates for confirmation, reception and reaffirmation who gathered for the second annual diocesan confirmation preparation day. His introduction was followed by a time of discussion between adult and teenage confirmands, where each got to share their hopes, fears and expectations about what their own confirmation might be like.
The rest of the day's workshops were dedicated to equipping participants with spiritual practices and forms of prayer to help them live out their lives post confirmation. David Taylor and Phil Colvin created a series of 'prayer stations' in the nave and narthex of the Cathedral, which enabled teenagers to pray using art, playdoh, scrabble letters and voltive candles. Meanwhile, Chris Dierkes and Laurel Dykstra introduced the adults to the practice of lectio divina. The day concluded with a Eucharist designed to introduce aspects of the confirmation liturgy, as well as to offer reflections on the liturgy of a typical Anglican service. The day was enjoyed by participants from parishes across the diocese, from West Vancouver to White Rock and it was especially exciting to welcome candidates from Holy Cross, Vancouver, Japanese-Canadian Anglican Church who were provided with simultaneous translation of the day's events by their new Priest-in-Charge, Father Im.
Confirmation services in 2012 take place at Christ Church Cathedral on consecutive Sundays, April 22nd and 29th at 4pm.
Images: Top, Reverend David Taylor with candidates at the Font. Middle right, Bishop Michael speaks to the plenary about confirmation. Below, Candidates making connections.