Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NRSV – New Revised Standard Version)
Welcome Seekers!
Items to gather in preparation for our meetings:
- Votive candle & lighter
- Book of Common Prayer (BCP)
- Journal & Pen(s)
Order: A People Called Episcopalians: A Brief Introduction to Our Way of Life by John H. Westerhoff with Sharon Ely Pearson ~ Paperback or eBook
SESSION 1 – Orientation & Getting to Know You – Sunday, February 23, 7 – 8:00 PM
HOMEWORK – Easy as 1-2-3:
1 – Read A People Called Episcopalians – Introduction & Chapter 1 – Episcopal Identity
2 – Journal: Using your initial notes as a starting point, go more deeply into your spiritual journey – think of people, places, readings, experiences, questions, doubts, that have shaped your journey…
3 – Try a daily spiritual practice. Be creative in choosing something! Suggestions include:
- Quiet time – sit & do nothing – meditation – 10 minutes
- Walking meditation
- Journaling/sketching
- Reading – the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, other inspirational/spiritual texts (see the Book List, just below)
- Prayer: when waking, before going to sleep, or while brushing teeth, for instance
- Gratitude practice
- Random acts of kindness
- Acts of forgiveness
- Moment of silence before eating
- Send a note or card to loved ones
Extra curious? Take a look at this Book List for Adult Confirmation – 2025 developed just for us by Sue Tait, Diocesan Resource Librarian. Access the online library catalog to search for more; Sue will mail you requested books.
Web Resources:
Baptismal Covenant – Our foundational statement of belief. A solemn and binding agreement between us, our community, and God. It is a promise, a pledge, that we as individuals and as a community first affirm at our baptism, and then throughout our lives. As part of your confirmation/reception service, you will re-affirm this covenant. Watch: “I Will With God’s Help: Reflecting on the Baptismal Covenant,” with Saint Mark’s Cathedral Dean, Steve Thomason, for more background. The full text of the Covenant is found on pp. 304 – 305 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Bible Gateway – An awesome tool you’ll return to again and again. Search for scripture using key words; over 60 unique Bible translations to choose from. Note that the Bible translation used in the Episcopal lectionary is NRSV – The New Revised Standard Version.
The Book of Common Prayer – Though it’s ideal to have one in book form, the BCP is also available online, page for page, with striking verisimilitude. Check out this video: The Book of Common Prayer in Four Minutes for a quick and light-hearted overview with Father Matthew. Best take-away: “Don’t play with puppets in church.”
The Catechism – An outline of the Episcopal faith, found in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 845 – 862. Written in a snappy Q & A format, the Catechism exists, not so much as something you need to memorize or something that you will be tested on, but as a way for you to understand what the Episcopal Church believes and to determine whether this belief system is a good fit for you.
Confirmation/Reception – The Book of Common Prayer says, “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.”
The Diocese of Olympia – The Episcopal Church in Western Washington is made up of 90+ congregations. Our bishop is the Rt. Rev. Phil N. LaBelle. Sign up for newsletters, including Across the Diocese, by clicking “subscribe” in the side bar or bottom of this page.
Episcopal FAQs from the Diocese of Olympia – Just your basic Q & A providing some foundation for what Episcopalians believe.
The Episcopal Church (TEC) – Officially the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, TEC is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, based in the United States. It is a mainline Protestant denomination and is divided into nine provinces (the Diocese of Olympia is in province 8). The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church is the Most Reverend Sean W. Rowe.
Episcopal News Service – Stay on top of the news of the world through an Episcopal lens. Subscribe here.
Glossary of Episcopal Terms – From Abbess to Zuchetto and everything in between. Provided by the Episcopal Church.
The Lectionary Page – A liturgical calendar with links to the lessons for Sundays and major Holy Days from the Revised Common Lectionary, as adapted for use in Episcopal worship.
The Liturgical Year and the Church Calendar – Background on the seasons of the church (pictured above).
