I Will, With God's Help Adult Journal: Episcopal Confirmation for Youth and Adults

by Mary Lee Wile

Overview

This confirmation program, based on the Baptismal Covenant from The Book of Common Prayer, encourages youth and adults to share their own faith journeys. Adaptable for six- to twelve-week programs, confirmation retreats or conferences. Easy-to-use session plans include many interactive activities for youth and adults that encourage reflection and discussion.

This interactive journal is your companion on your faith journey as you seek to renew your commitment to the Episcopal Church. You'll find prayer, scripture study, creative activities and generous space for recording your reflections and experiences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781606741672
Publisher:	Church Publishing
Publication date:	07/01/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	66
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

The Rev. Mary Lee Wile is a high school teacher and a deacon in the diocese of Maine. She also leads Quiet Days and workshops on contemplative prayer. She has published religious and educational articles in The Living Church, The Witness, The Other Side, Education Week and Teacher Magazine. Mary Lee received a MTS from Bangor Theological Seminary with a focus on Congregational Life.

Read an Excerpt

I will, with God's help

Adult Journal

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By Mary Lee Wile

Church Publishing Incorporated

Copyright © 2011 Mary Lee Wile
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-60674-167-2

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CHAPTER 1

Responding to "I Believe"

* * *

Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father?

People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Read back over Paul's comforting words that you copied during the first session. Think about times and circumstances when, even in the face of adversity, you have been particularly aware of God's love. Write about those times: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

How did God's love show itself during those times? How did you know that God was with you? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

In what ways is your awareness of God's love responsible for your participation in this journey of renewal? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Describe or draw the stone you selected: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Sit with the stone for a few minutes. What made you choose that particular stone? In what (if any) ways does it speak to you? Are there ways you resemble your stone? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Jesus is the chief cornerstone of the Church, and all baptized Christians are part of the structure, each of us a stone in the foundation of faith. Thinking in this metaphor, where in the Church do you see yourself? As what part of the "building"? (Again, feel free to draw rather than write your response.) ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Moving beyond the concrete "stone" metaphor, where do you see your ministry within the wider context of "Church"? In what ways do you feel called to live out your life of faith: at home? at work? within your parish? within the wider community or the world? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

For what have you thanked God today? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

The word "creed" comes from the Latin credere, which means "what I put my heart and my trust into." Where do you put your heart and your trust? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Write down your "personal creed." (If you had time to do this during the first session, you can copy it here or even tape it in):

I believe: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

How does your life show that you put your heart and trust into that creed? How could you act on your creed more clearly in your daily life? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

In the space below, recreate the trinitarian drawing from the session in which you named the three things that give balance, stability and strength to your life:

Before the next session, keep track of advertisements or editorials that try to convince you to "believe" a particular platitude or to "believe in" the efficacy of a particular product. Write down lines and phrases that are particularly memorable, either because they are persuasive or because they seem outrageous, or cut them out and paste them on the facing page. If they are too big, fold them up and tuck them in here. Try to listen consciously to what contemporary American culture tells us to believe in. Bring these lines/phrases/ ads with you to the next session.

__________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

A Prayer from Austin Farrer:

God above me, Father from whence my being descends, on whom my existence hangs, to whom I turn up my face, to whom I stretch out my hands:

God beside me, God in a [hu]man like me, Jesus Christ in the world with me, whose hand lays hold of me, presenting me, with yourself, to God:

God within me, soul of my soul, root of my will, inexhaustible fountain, Holy [Spirit]: Threefold Love, one in yourself, unite your forces in me, come together in the citadel of my conquered heart.

You have loved me with everlasting love. Teach me to care.

Amen.

Sermon Notes

Over the course of preparing to renew your Baptismal Covenant, be especially attentive to the sermons you hear. Protestant theologian Karl Barth says that the sermon can be the Word of God spoken for us here and now, so be open to the Holy Spirit's presence in the spoken word, Sunday by Sunday. Write down notes as you listen, or record your reactions after you've had time to ponder, or to ask questions about something in the sermons. You may wish to use the space at the back of this journal on page 64.

Responding to "Teaching and Fellowship, Bread and Prayers"

* * *

Celebrant: Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

People: I will, with God's help.

* * *

As a way of continuing in the apostles' fellowship, you will regularly bring home with you the name of a another participant. Session by session, write each new name in the space below, and hold that person in prayer. Remember that another group member is praying for you as well between sessions.

Those for whom I am responsible: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Use your own prayer, or pray the following, speaking the name of whichever person you are responsible for at any given time:

"O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of your Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the heart and mind of your servant _____________________________ ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Communal Psalm

Write down the verse you contributed to the communal psalm: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Write down other verses or phrases that you want to remember. (Instead, you could copy or tape in the whole psalm.) ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What brief story did you tell about yourself? What do you wish you had also said, or what story do you wish you had told instead? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What stories do you recall from other participants? (Remember that these are now part of your "family stories" as members of the Christian household of faith.) ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Our "companions," according to the roots of the word, cum (meaning with) and panis (meaning bread), are those with whom we "break bread." Think about the people with whom you routinely share a meal. Write about your ordinary experiences of eating—and about one particularly memorable meal you have had in your life. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Remembering that we take in words much as we take in food (since words nourish our hearts and minds and souls just as food nourishes our bodies), write about or simply list some memorable books or stories, from early childhood on. As you do so, ponder why those stories have stayed with you. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What's a favorite prayer? (If you don't think you actually have one, spend some time with The Book of Common Prayer, especially with the prayers and thanksgivings beginning on page 810. Also think about what words of your own rise in your heart as you turn to God.) Write a prayer here: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Begin to browse through The Book of Common Prayer on your own. Notice it more intentionally:

• What' s something you never noticed before? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

• What' s something that catches your interest? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

• Is there anything that strikes you as strange? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

• What are some things in the prayer book that you might use someday? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

• Are there some things you don't understand at all? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Get into the habit of spending time with the prayer book; The Book of Common Prayer is a defining text for Episcopalians—it's also simply good "God talk."

You are going to be reading one of the most beloved stories in Scripture: the Gospel according to St. Luke. Use a Bible that you find pleasing. Perhaps it might be a family Bible that carries the pleasing weight of family tradition. Perhaps it might be a beautiful Bible you enjoy looking at. Perhaps it might be a paperback version in which you feel comfortable underlining or highlighting as you read. In any case, be sure to find a translation that you can follow comfortably.

As you read, use the following space to take "Notes and Quotes." Under "Notes," write down questions you have or comments you want to make during sessions. Under "Quotes," write down passages that touch you in some way: maybe they are the passages that raise questions; maybe they speak to your heart; maybe they are simply passages you like. When you write down quotations, because writing uses your hand as well as your eyes, you "own" those words in deeper ways than simply reading them. Try to have at least a couple of quoted passages to share with the group for each of the subsequent sessions.

Suggestion: Read aloud to yourself. This used to be common practice. By reading, speaking, hearing and then writing some of Luke, your body carries the memory of those words more deeply.

"Blessed Lord, who has caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Before the next session, "Resist, Repent, and Return," go thoughtfully through the following Litany of Penitence. It's taken from the Ash Wednesday Service in the Prayer Book, but you will be praying it during your next session. Prepare for that by reading the litany slowly, thinking about your own particular temptations and failures, the sins to which you are most prone. Make some notes here in your journal. You will not be asked to name specific sins, but to be aware of what your own personal temptations and tendencies are: Where are you most vulnerable? In the spaces below each bidding, make such notes as seem relevant to you.

Most holy and merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.

Have mercy on us, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.

Have mercy on us, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives.

We confess to you, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,

We confess to you, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,

We confess to you, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,

We confess to you, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,

We confess to you, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,

Accept our repentance, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

For false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,

Accept our repentance, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,

Accept our repentance, Lord. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;

Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,

That we may show forth your glory in the world. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord.

Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Responding to "Resist., Repent, and Return"

* * *

Celebrant: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People: I will, with God's help.

A prayer to repeat in the face of temptation: (copy it here from the session) ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What is your own definition of "evil"? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

How did you respond when asked, "How did you resist evil this week?" ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What other circumstances can you think of in which you have resisted evil in your life? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Remember:

• to add the person for whom you are now responsible to your prayer list

• to keep up with your gospel reading (and responding)

• to listen carefully, prayerfully, to the sermon(s) you hear between sessions

Think about the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Even read it again (it's in Luke, beginning at 15:11) if you need to. Which character in the parable speaks to you most clearly right now in your life? Think also about different times when you have been the judgmental older brother, the prodigal younger brother, the forgiving parent or friend. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

As you reflect on the experience of Reconciliation, what did the whole process feel like? Think about the words of the service as well as about setting fire to your list of sins. Was it largely an intellectual exercise, a group activity, a spiritual experience or something else altogether? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

In the space below, draw a road map of your own life, including those places where you have changed direction. (The word "repentance" literally means a "change of direction.")

Consider what forks in the road are behind you. Be sure to note who and what have helped you make particular choices, change direction, evaluate your roads and choices. You might even speculate on what roads lie ahead.

(If this task initiates ongoing consideration of your spiritual journey, go ahead and begin filling those pages at the back of your journal which are set aside for your spiritual journey.) ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

For what have you thanked God today? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

As you go through this program, always keep in mind that Scripture isn't just filled with "old" stories, but it contains your stories. For example, read or ponder the account in Genesis about creation and the fall, then ask yourself: "How did I fall from grace and away from God either through indifference or action?" ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Remember (or reread) the story at the end of Genesis about Joseph's journey into Egypt, into bondage, and ask yourself, "How have I been in bondage to sin?" Recall also how the evil in Joseph's life was redeemed, and think how God has enabled you to bring good out of evil or misfortune. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Be sure to keep up with the reading in Luke, but try also to expand your reading of Scripture. Begin to browse the Bible, just as you browse the prayer book. Let it become a familiar companion on your journey. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Responding to "Word and Example"

* * *

Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

People: I will, with God's help.

Remember:

• to add the person for whom you are now responsible to your prayer list

• to keep up with your gospel reading (and responding)

• to listen carefully, prayerfully, to the sermon(s) you hear between sessions ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Saints are the word of Christ, spoken in the world. Who are some saints or other heroes that somehow speak to you? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What music do you routinely listen to—and what messages does it convey? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What art do you appreciate? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

What magazines or other periodicals do you read—and how do they portray the whole scope of humanity? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

As a baptized Christian, you are yourself part of the communion of saints. Your life, that means, should speak the word of Christ. With that in mind, what did you write in answer to the question from the session: "What did I just preach today?" ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Our lives as Christians are witnesses to Christ; we need to be careful what our lives say. We also need to become increasingly, intentionally aware of the God to whom we witness. Take some time to ponder your own experiences of God.

How do you envision God? What images or symbols come to mind? Write or draw them. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

How do your current images of God differ from childhood ones? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

Who is Jesus? (He himself gives lots of answers: the Way, the Truth, the Bread of Life, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Vine....) How does Jesus show himself to you? Write or draw in the space below. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from I will, with God's help by Mary Lee Wile. Copyright © 2011 Mary Lee Wile. Excerpted by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

"In this program, Mary Lee Wile brings together the vital themes of belonging, community, prayer, repentance, Scripture, service, story and worship. Her suggested activities foster simple, profound experiences of the holy."
—The Right Reverend Chilton Knudsen, Bishop of Maine

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