More than 400 sponsors, family members, and friends cheered and celebrated on March 17 as 80 people from 14 worshipping communities throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta were confirmed.
Sally Ulrey, Canon for Congregational Vitality and Ministry Development, said the latest confirmation continues a trend of renewed congregational life in the 8th largest of the 110 dioceses in The Episcopal Church since the disruption of gatherings caused by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Bishop Robert W. Wright said,
“Confirmation, a mature and public affirmation of your faith. You’re here to say there’s something to this Jesus man, something to Him. I’m figuring out the church stuff, but there’s something to this 2,000-year-old Jew, the way he walks and the way he talks and the stories that he tells. They penetrate my intellect, but they go deeper and further, 18 inches down to be exact, to my heart. Something about this, Jesus, and so it causes you to show up in places like this on a perfectly good afternoon to say out loud in front of everybody yes, I’m going to journey a little bit and I’m going to journey with these people, this church, these fellow baptized folks. That’s confirmation. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about willing to take the journey. That’s what it’s about and trusting other people to assist you as you journey…
In this sin weary world, it sure is nice to find a home. Sure is nice to sit side by side with other sinners, other people who are struggling forward, other people who are trying to figure it out. Sure makes a difference in the life, and it’s just an example of God’s grace to it. Isn’t it that God makes family out of what was formerly, what were formerly strangers and acquaintances, somehow in the water, in the wine, the bread, the service, somehow God makes something out of us. That is beyond our asking, beyond our imagination.
In December, more than 150 were confirmed, received, and welcomed home during another service at The Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, Ulrey said.
