It has been a busy month of baptisms and confirmations, as we’ve witnessed a host of people, young and old - and from the breadth of the diocese across all its diversity - make a commitment to Christ.
Bishop Martyn and Bishop Saju shared significant moments with our worshipping communities, joining parishioners on their journeys in faith, and praying together for God’s kingdom to come on earth as in heaven.
On Sunday May 4, Bishop Martyn visited St Andrew’s Church in Leicester Forest East to baptise and confirm Larissa.
Supported by her family, and the Revd Dave Hover, Larissa shared her testimony with the church community, saying: “The reason I chose to be baptised is to build my relationship with God and to help me become a better person.
“With God, I am motivated to do good deeds, have greater discipline and to worry less.
“With Jesus, I am forgiven for the mistakes that I have made, where I have the chance to improve and be guided in the right direction. With baptism, I can fully commit to God and Christianity and what it has taught me.”
On the same day, Bishop Saju travelled to St Mary’s Church in Barwell to confirm Austin – a lifelong Christian who has been a member of the church for the last 35 years.
Joined by family, and supported by the Revd Philip Watson, Austin declared his faith to his church community, making the following testimony:
“I was baptised 66 years ago, and although I attended Sunday school as a child, I was never confirmed. Early learning however, did provide an insight to the scriptures and how we should treat other people and conduct ourselves in general, and since then, I have endeavoured to live my life as a good Christian.
“Over the years my family and I have experienced many good times as well as a number of more challenging events and throughout I have been comforted by my faith and the power of prayer.
“I have attended St Mary's Barwell, for the last 35 years. Whilst always made welcome, a Eucharist service always reminds me that I have not made a formal public affirmation of my faith in the way that the majority of the other members of the congregation have. This has been on my mind for a number of years, but family and work responsibilities always seemed to prevent me from making the commitment.
“More recently, I have had a series of serious health issues and my belief in God and the combination of my own prayers and those of the church certainly helped in the recovery process - demonstrating to me the importance of my faith. This has reignited a desire to be confirmed and as a consequence from the beginning of this year I have been meeting with Philip our Rector who has been helping me to better understand my relationship with God, Jesus and the Church through formal confirmation lessons.”
Later that day, there was a service of baptism, confirmation, and the reaffirming of commitments, for a group of candidates at All Saints Church in Thorpe Acre.
Bishop Saju was pleased to share in the evening which brought together congregations from a number of churches in the Akeley East deanery, as Kevin from All Saints was confirmed and Julie reaffirmed her confirmation promise.
From St Edward King & Martyr Church in Castle Donington, Claire was baptised and confirmed, Zoe was confirmed, and April reaffirmed her confirmation promise.
Finally, Michael from Christ Church Mountsorrel was also confirmed during the celebratory service.
On Sunday 18 May, Bishop Martyn joined the congregation of All Saints Church in Belgrave for a mass intercultural celebration of baptisms and confirmations.
During the service, 15 people were baptised - including a number by full immersion - and 22 people were confirmed by the bishop. The congregation was full of the friends and families of the many making their commitment, and there was a strong sense of community and celebration, particularly for the young people proclaiming their faith.
Most recently, yesterday (Sunday 1 June), a joyful service of baptism and confirmation was held at Holy Trinity Hinckley. Bishop Saju baptised three, another reaffirmed his faith by full-immersion, and seven were confirmed during the service. Those making their commitments included Amit, Mathulan and Jaanika, and Gareth, from St John’s in Enderby.
Read testimonies from Gareth, Jaanika and Mathulan.
We also include the confirmations of three adults, alongside two who were received into the Church of England, which were carried out by Bishop Christopher during a celebratory service at St Nicholas Church in Leicester on Easter Day.
Please pray for all those who have recently been baptised and confirmed in the diocese.