March 2017

Some good news for a change! On the evening of Sunday May 21st Holy Trinity Wentworth will be hosting a confirmation service. It’s several years since one was last held here, so it’s an opportunity not to be missed. Whether or not you are among those who have already expressed an interest, if you wish to be confirmed please get in touch with me as soon as possible so that suitable preparation can be arranged. Don’t be afraid. It doesn’t involve passing any exams.

In the Church of England confirmation is the traditional gateway to being admitted to Holy Communion. This has its merits, though with baptism being the one necessary rite of initiation there is no hard and fast rule about it. The Church of England also reserves the administering of confirmation to bishops. This helps to bring home the fact that as members of the Body of Christ we belong not just to a parochial or even a diocesan fellowship, but to a worldwide and world-transcending communion.

The news of this confirmation service couldn’t have come at a better time. In the early Church the season of Lent was a time when candidates were prepared for baptism at Easter, and by May 21st our thoughts will be turning to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This year may we do all we can to encourage our confirmation candidates as they approach this significant milestone on their journey of faith. May their hopes and expectations rekindle our own.

Michael