Youth Confirmation returns this Sunday! Our thirteen Youth confirmands join Josh Bennett and myself in **Room 103 at 10:45am**.
We head into the Nave for communion around noon.
After communion we then gather in the Hunt Rooms for pizza, salad, and a guided conversation with our mentors. We finish at 2pm.
Regular CAYG events this weekend.
Friday 4:30-5:30pm PieDay Friday and 6:30-8:30pm CAYG for Middle Schoolers.
Sunday, 6:30-8:30pm CAYG for High Schoolers.
This is my second year as a Priest during lent, able to hear confessions. What is confession, or the ‘Rite of Reconciliation’? Here is what Kelsey wrote last year and I quite like it.
“Though any Christian may take part in confession year-round, many make it a spiritual practice to take part in the Sacrament of Confession during Lent.
Q: Do I have to be Anglican to do Confession with Alex?
A: “All May, None Must, Some Should.” (No, denomination does not matter.)
Q: Why would I do Confession?
A: You know how when you have really bad food poisoning and your insides feel awful and you’re trying to keep it down but eventually you run to the restroom and finally let your body throw it up? You know how it feels so much better having that poison out of your system? Sin, shame, and pain is often like that food poisoning, and ya just gotta spit it out.
Romans 8:38-39 reminds us how NOTHING can separate us from the love of God… but sometimes it doesn’t FEEL like it, does it? While the Bible says we can be assured of our forgiveness, sometimes we need to HEAR the words “You are forgiven.” Confession is a time to share your sin, shame, and pain with someone who cares for you, and can help you accept the love and forgiveness of God.
Q: How does it work? (And do I need to know what I’m doing?)
A: We Anglicans use The Book of Common Prayer, and there’s a “chapter” just for confession! Alex will show you what to do in a very patient and friendly manner. There will be a point in time where he’ll invite you to speak your sin, shame, or pain, and you might talk about it for a bit. (I often find it helpful to have it written down before I go because in the moment I kinda blank…) Alex will listen very well, and the two of you will pray together.
Q: Will Alex tell my parents what I told him?
A: Things said during the confessional cannot be repeated, by law.
Q: I don’t want to disappoint or burden Alex with my spiritual food poisoning.
A: He cares about you and wants to be there for you. And anyway, youth group leaders AND priests are well versed in spiritual vomit. Shoot him an email.
Q: How do I arrange a time?
A: Email him! alex.banfieldhicks@ascensionpittsburgh.org.
And, if I (ABH) may add a thing. I am NEVER disappointed when someone comes to me to share a confession, as it shows me how committed they are to living with freedom as a Christian. In fact, I am ALWAYS HUGELY PROUD of anyone who does come to confession.
Moreover, seeing someone step back out into the street, having confessed and been forgiven in the Gordon Chapel, with such a light in their eyes and a joy in their step, is always the highlight of my entire week.
Just three weeks left in Lent!
And Spring Break is a great opportunity…
Church of the Ascension Youth Group 