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On a rainy Saturday, May 10, confirmands gathered at the Synod Office for Confirmation Prep Day. The day began with registration and some morning treats before everyone moved into the conference hall with Archbishop John Stephens, Reverend Jessica Schaap, Lauren Odile Pinkney, and others. 

The first activity was an icebreaker: confirmands were given stickers with various Christian or Anglican-related words or terms. They then had to ask yes-or-no questions to figure out what their sticker said. This got everyone mingling, helped confirmands get to know one another, while learning something new.

Rev. Jessica then led her session exploring the Apostles’ Creed through embodied prayer. With movements that invited participants to kneel, reach out, spin, and show the marks of Christ’s crucifixion, the activity was both physically and emotionally moving. This embodied approach to prayer set the tone for the day, grounding faith in our lived experience and reminding us of the meaning behind the words we recite every Sunday.

Following this, Archbishop John led a session exploring Anglican identity and gathered questions for a fishbowl-style Q&A to be held later. Archbishop John invited confirmands to choose words or elements of Anglicanism that resonated with them. Each year, different words seem to be popular. This year, the most popular terms among the 29 youth and 10 adults were open-mindedness, political views, aesthetic, and naturalistic.

Confirmands were then split into groups for a scavenger hunt across the Synod Office property—including the grounds of St. John’s, Shaughnessy. Each group was tasked with taking 20 photos of items or ideas, such as representing the Trinity with members of your team, finding the cornerstone of St. John’s, or taking a photograph of a cincture. One challenging item was the diocesan crest, often mistaken for the more commonly seen diocesan badge. After lots of running and photo-taking, the winners were announced, the group took a lunch break.

In the afternoon, the group reconvened for the fishbowl Q&A with Archbishop John. Afterwards, youth and adults split into separate sessions focused on spiritual gifts. The youth group gathered to explore biblical passages on spiritual gifts. Meanwhile, the adults remained in the conference room for a meaningful conversation with the Archbishop.

Erin Bruchet from Tender Woods then led an interactive and reflective art session. Participants explored their spiritual journeys through imagery: the nest (safety and security), the chrysalis (transformation), and the mushroom (new life and interconnectedness with the world around us). Erin transformed the space with branches, moss, dried flowers, and other tactile elements. She provided pearls, silk, and flakes of gold that participants could hide in their artwork to symbolize the confirmands' hidden treasure. These pieces will serve as a reminder of the day and each individual’s journey of faith.

The day concluded with a water blessing led by Reverend Alicia Greenfield at the baptismal font. Confirmands brought water from their local watersheds, which were poured and mingled together into a large bowl. This water was blessed, and each confirmand marked themselves with the sign of the cross before being anointed by Archbishop John with the Oil of Catechumens—a tradition for those preparing for ministry. Finally, confirmands placed personal items on the altar to be blessed by the Archbishop.

Confirmation Prep Day is an annual tradition, offering confirmands a chance to get to know each other,  connect with theological and spiritual learnings ahead of Confirmation Day. 

The Confirmation Service will take place on Saturday, June 14. Confirmands are asked to arrive by 9:00 AM for a rehearsal at 9:30 AM, with the service beginning at 10:30 AM. Please come early to get a good seat— our 39 confirmands will bring family and friends to celebrate this moment of joy, discernment and affirmation.