Grow
“How sweet are your words to my taste! They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Psalm 119:103
Faith is a lifelong process of growth. At baptism, the entire congregation promises to support us in our growth in Christ. Through prayer and study, we grow closer to God.
St. Martin’s provides multiple opportunities for continued Christian formation, as well as sacramental opportunities for making and reaffirming the baptismal covenant.
Formation at St. Martin’s
Formation conversations are held weekly after the 6:00 pm dinner on Tuesdays. Conversations are usually facilitated by the chaplain and are intended to help you explore following Jesus in the Episcopal context. Recent conversations have covered the Book of Common Prayer, how Anglicans read the Bible, and inclusion in the Episcopal Church. Click here to view handouts from recent conversations.
Formation at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
St. Martin’s is a ministry supported by St. Paul’s in downtown Fayetteville. Members of St. Paul’s often participate at St. Martin’s and you are most welcome to participate at St. Paul’s! In addition to Sunday and Wednesday worship are many formation offerings, including the adult forum on Sundays, Bible study on Monday and Wednesday, and the Inquirer’s Class offered twice a year.
Baptism, Reception, Confirmation and Reaffirmation
If you join us at St. Martin’s and find yourself longing for Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception into the Episcopal Church, talk to the chaplain to begin a conversation.
Baptism
Baptism, by water and the Holy Spirit, is full initiation into Christ’s Body the Church. If you were baptized in another Christian tradition, whether as a child or an adult, you do not need to be baptized again in order to participate fully in the life of the Episcopal Church, including receiving Communion. If you have not been baptized, consider whether God is calling you to take this step in faith and get in touch with us. Attending the formation conversations is a great way to prepare for baptism.
Read from the Episcopal Church about baptism here.
Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
Confirmation is an adult affirmation of faith. Anyone from teenage years and up is welcome to learn more about the life of the church and about a Christian life of faith as preparation for confirmation. Confirmation provides an opportunity, especially for those baptized as infants, to take on the baptismal promises for themselves.
The Episcopal Church also offers Reception into our tradition from many other denominations. Reception is an opportunity to join the Episcopal Church if you have already been baptized and confirmed elsewhere.
Reaffirmation is exactly what is sounds like: a chance to reaffirm those vows made at baptism. Some people will find this another helpful way to express their adult faith or rejoice in a return to the church.
These three rites are reserved for the bishop and are scheduled in conjunction with the bishop’s visit to St. Paul’s or to St. Martin’s.