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Christian Education and Formation
“Teacher, what should we do?” (followers of John the Baptist in Luke 3:13)
“Holy Father, protect them in your name . . that they may be one, as we are one” (John 17:11b)
Becoming a Christian is a lifelong journey that forms us in Christ to be Christ in the world. Learning about our faith and practicing it together in community is essential to this process. At St. Mary and St. Jude, we provide programs designed to do this.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Join us for our weekly Wednesday Bible Study from 10:30 am to 12 noon on Zoom. All are welcome. The link and additional information may be found in our newsletters or by contacting the Parish Office.
Confirmation Class
An annual Confirmation Class is offered for adults and high school age young people who wish to make a public commitment to Christian faith in the tradition of The Episcopal Church. The Bishop of Maine presides over Confirmation during his annual visitation to Mount Desert Island, usually in the summer.
Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation
The Bishop’s Visitation is a time for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of Faith. The following explains the distinctiveness of these rites:
Confirmation is a mature, public affirmation of faith, celebrated by the prayers and laying on of hands by the bishop. It is a celebration of baptism and one’s desire to live out the Christian faith in The Episcopal Church. If you were baptized as a child (in any denomination) but were never confirmed, this rite is for you.
Reception is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in a Christian denomination that has a ritual of confirmation (such as Roman Catholic, Methodist, or Lutheran) who now wish to join The Episcopal Church. If you wish to be received into this branch of the Christian Church, this rite is for you.
Reaffirmation of Faith is celebrated with a confirmed Episcopalian who, for personal reasons, now wishes to publicly reaffirm their baptismal vows before the bishop and the community.
In Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation, the church community prays that the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen and deepen the candidates’ faith.
Parish Reading Group
At different times through the year members and friends choose a book to read and then meet for discussion, shared learning, and fellowship.
Weekly Scripture Readings
The Episcopal Church, along with many other denominations, uses the Revised Common Lectionary, which is a collection of selected scriptural readings from the Bible used for worship services. The lectionary follows a three-year cycle and provides scriptural selections that complement the liturgical season.
You may find the appointed Sunday readings here:
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is a spiritual treasure of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity as Episcopalians.
We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, through our “common prayer.” The Prayer Book, most recently revised in 1979, contains our liturgies, prayers, catechism, theological documents, and more.
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/book-common-prayer
To find the Book of Common Prayer online, go to https://www.bcponline.org/
