A new beginning

On 27 November, Advent Sunday, before a congregation of some 300 people, the RtRevd Robert Atwell, Bishop of Stockport, confirmed 25 adults and young people and baptised three others. Advent Sunday marks the beginning of the Church year. For the candidates it marked the beginning of a commitment to God, as those baptised were welcomed into the Church and those confirmed affirmed their faith and intention to lead a Christian life.

For a number of the candidates it was a family affair, as they made their commitment to God together: two pairs of sisters were confirmed, as were a father and son and a husband and wife and their three children; a mother was confirmed after her daughter was baptised, while a toddler's baptism preceded his older sister's confirmation. As each candidate was presented, friends and family stood up to show their support. After all 25 had been confirmed, the congregation welcomed them with a spontaneous round of applause.

In his inspiring sermon, the Bishop spoke about what it means to live in the way of Jesus in modern times. He talked of the worry and anxiety that consume many of us—about money, pensions, employment and other people’s perception of us. The Bishop told the story of two Dutch sisters sent to a concentration camp during the war for helping Jews. As they studied their smuggled Bible they found that it contained the encouraging words, 'Fear not' 365 times. It tells us, on a daily basis, not to be afraid or to worry. By living our life in the way of Jesus and by trusting in God, through prayer we can experience God in our lives and be released from our worries.

During the service some of the candidates gave moving testimony of their path to confirmation. One candidate spoke of the church being a place of peace where she could find answers to problems through reflection and prayer. Another said that in preparing for confirmation she had felt closer to God.

For many of the candidates the service was the culmination of a journey of spiritual discovery made during their attendance at the six weekly Exploring Christianity sessions. If you are interested in exploring your faith and asking questions, a new course starts on 19 January. This New Year could herald a new beginning.

Patricia Jones

Those baptised: Olivia Davey-Bashir, Robin James, Nick Moss
Young people confirmed: ClemmieBorthwick, Sadie Burgess, Becky Dodd, Noah Evans, Amy Irving, Ruby James, AylaKarasu, Melisa Karasu, SaskiaKinghorn, Jemima Lilley, Eleanor Pate, Hannah Pate, Alice Preece, Jack Shaw

Adults confirmed: Tammy Bashir, Neil Burgess, Lynne Burgess, Amy Burgess, George Burgess, Nathan Evans, Amanda Herrington, I-Lee Millward, Nick Moss, James Pogson, Kirsten Wood.