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On April 18th, 2026, on a beautiful spring morning, this year’s confirmands gathered at the Synod Office for a full day of preparation for their upcoming confirmation. Registration began at 9:30 a.m., with participants trickling in, enjoying coffee, muffins, and conversation as they settled in before the day got started. 

 

Archbishop John Stephens opened the day with prayer, after which Lauren Odile Pinkney, Missioner for Youth, began the activities with an icebreaker. Each person received a sticker placed on their back with a word or symbol connected to Anglican identity or confirmation. With help from others, they had to guess what their sticker said—with items ranging from easy - such as “Jesus”, to boss-level: “The Liturgical Calendar”- an educational and fun start to the day. 

 

Next, the Rev. Tasha Carrothers, priest at St. Mary Magdalene, Vancouver, led the confirmands in an embodied Apostles’ Creed. Children, youth, adults, and seniors alike found themselves kneeling, stretching their arms wide like Jesus on the cross, or miming holding a baby for “born of the Virgin Mary.” They even used a spiral motion to symbolize the Holy Spirit. This creative embodied version of the Creed—developed by Rev. Jessica Schaap, Missioner for Christian Formation—has quickly become a favourite amongst the confirmands for many years. 

 

Archbishop John then led a conversation about Anglican identity. Participants moved to different areas of the room to choose an aspect of Anglican Identity they connected with— just a few of these were naturalistic, political, aesthetic, and many more. Participants went around the room and shared why this resonated with them. 

 

Afterward, it was time for some fun. Lauren guided the confirmands through a Synod Office scavenger hunt, sending them exploring the building and the surrounding garden in search of items such as the diocesan badge, a stole, and the medicine wheel. Groups raced to find the full list, with some leather Diocesan bookmarks as the much sought-after prize for the winning team! 

 

By then, everyone had worked up an appetite. Lunch was served in the Trendell Lounge, where sandwiches, drinks, and even chocolate‑dipped strawberries were enjoyed as conversation flowed and spirits remained high. 

 

After lunch came the ever‑popular Questions with Archbishop John. Earlier in the day, confirmands had written questions and placed them in a fishbowl for him to answer. As always, the questions ranged from lighthearted to deeply theological. This year’s included: “Do you love your job?” and “Why did Lucifer descend to hell?”—quite the variety. 

 

Following this, youth and adults split into two groups. Lauren met with the youth in the Trendell Lounge, while Archbishop John worked with the adults in the conference room. Each group discussed spiritual gifts and reflected on what they themselves bring to the church and their communities. 

 

In the afternoon, the confirmands entered a creative reflection time, they were given nearly an hour dedicated to contemplating their faith journey as they approached confirmation. They were provided with acrylic paints, canvases, colouring supplies, children’s books, Bibles, the Book of Alternative Services, newspapers, and artwork for inspiration. 

 

Their guiding prompt was: 

“This is your time with God. Reflect on your faith journey. What has led you here?  

What has carried you through hard times? Is there a significant symbol?  

A meaningful Bible verse? A sacred song? A special word?” 

 

The resulting artwork was remarkable. Participants proudly shared their creations before everyone gathered again in the conference room for closing time. 

 

After reviewing logistics for Confirmation Day - the group closed the day with a reaffirmation of baptism. Standing in a circle, Rev. Tasha led the liturgy. Water from the various watersheds where each candidate lives—brought in bottles, jars, and Tupperware—was poured into a makeshift font. Archbishop John blessed the water, and each confirmand marked themselves with the sign of the cross. 

 

Archbishop John then went around the circle, anointing each confirmand’s hand with the oil of catechumens, traditionally used for those preparing for baptism or confirmation. Finally, he blessed the personal items the confirmands had brought—Bibles, jewellery, crocheted crosses, and more—sending them home with their owner, now newly blessed and holy. 

 

All in all, it was a beautiful and meaningful day, filled with connection, reflection, creativity, and joy. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. 

 

If you would like to support this incredible group of confirmands, join us at 10:30 a.m. on May 9th at Christ Church Cathedral for the 2026 Confirmations of the Diocese of New Westminster.