Community renewal took a stand at the Cathedral of St. Philip on May 31, as just over 100 confirmands representing 18 parishes across the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta celebrated their commitment and faith.

A diverse cross-section of the diocese’s 120 worshipping communities stepped up in the liturgy that capped months of intentional formation for those being confirmed, received, and reaffirmed. Their families, sponsors, and friends also showed up in their Sunday best to show support, and from them came an unexpected wave of spontaneous, personal rededication as they rose from the pews.

Spirit Moving

While the examination of the candidates was central to the service, the Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, Bishop of Atlanta, also made an unscripted invitation to anyone else who desired to be reaffirmed in their baptismal faith.

Instead of the awkward pause that could follow a formal call, a steady stream of listeners stood up, stepped out of the pews, and walked to the altar. The cathedral erupted into a wave of sustained clapping, cheering, and animated conversation. Their unrehearsed response showed the core diocesan mission to love like Jesus by worshipping joyfully and growing spiritually.

“Seeing how meaningful it is for folks to respond to the Spirit and join God’s mission in this world, it reinvigorates us all,” said Sally Ulrey, Canon for Congregational Vitality and Ministry Development. “There was such a joyful spirit throughout this day!”

The “So What?” of an Active Faith

Wright focused his sermon on the Gospel of Matthew, at the crossroads of worship, lingering doubt, and action. Wright noted that mountain moments always signal that God is near, the people are gathered, and life forever changes.

Surrounded by the cathedral’s spectacular architecture, Wright challenged the audience to turn to each other and ask, “So what?”

“Worship and going to church are two different practices,” he said, emphasizing that the baptismal covenant is anchored in active verbs. “Worship makes your Monday living rhyme with your Sunday singing. All of the answers that we’re about to render are centered on verbs — on striving and being, falling and rising, and getting up and trying some more.”

Doubt is a natural part of the journey, Wright noted. Jesus does not shame or dismiss the doubters, instead offering a solution: get going.

“Go live, serve, worship, do the best you can in the name of Jesus,” Wright urged. “Sincere doubt is best addressed on the road, not sitting in your room letting the thing overwhelm you.”

And spread the word. “You know they say that Episcopalians only invite people to church every 25 years,” he joked. “Haha, that’s a shame. How can you contain the good news? We have to tell. If you’ve visited a good restaurant or seen a good movie or had a great experience, you don’t have to go to school to learn how to communicate that.

“And if God has somehow been good to you, you don’t have to go to school to learn how to communicate that. You can invite it in your own way, in your own idiom. Invite people to get their questions answered in baptism.”

Collaborative Worship and Bittersweet Blessings

The Rev. Dr. Mary Grace DuPree, priest-in-charge at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Covington, served as the celebrant. The choir of Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur, directed by Minister of Music Will Buthod, performed alongside organist Herbert Buffington. The music ranged from classic trinitarian hymns to the African American spiritual, “Ain’t-a That Good News!”

Near the end of the service, the diocesan community paused to offer prayers and a blessing for the Very Rev. Jeff Jackson, rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Carrollton and dean of the Southwest Atlanta Convocation, who is joining the bishop’s staff in the Diocese of North Carolina. Wright prayed that the Spirit of the living God would fall afresh on the departing leader and the entire community as they prepare to head out into the world.

After a bilingual dismissal, the newly confirmed, received, and reaffirmed participants and their entourages headed out, to love and serve compassionately across the 75 and a half counties of the diocese.