Much like the light of God, the sun shone upon all those who were baptised and confirmed in the Diocese of Leicester during the past month.
Throughout June and into the beginning of July, a number of our worshipping communities welcomed and witnessed members of their church families taking the next step on their faith journeys.
On Sunday 22 June, Bishop Saju led the Eucharist at Leicester Cathedral, confirming three young people in an uplifting service.
Those making their commitment to God were two members of the Cathedral, Blessing and Sebastian (whose chosen confirmation name is Francis) and Evelyne from St Giles’ Church in Medbourne.
That same day, Bishop Martyn visited Holy Trinity Church in Barrow upon Soar to confirm Seb and Isla, and one other young person from St Mary’s Church in Walton.
The three gave witness of their faith to a congregation of family, friends and church members.
Isla said: “Faith has helped me through bad moments and showed me how to appreciate good ones. I believe faith always finds you at the right time and I am now ready to begin my own journey in the church by affirming my belief through confirmation.”
Seb said: “I want to take the next step into faith as I believe in God and through faith I wish to grow as a person and live a good and meaningful life.”
Sharing the sacraments on the other side of the diocese, earlier this month on Sunday 6 July, Bishop Martyn joined St John’s Church in Hinckley for a service of baptism and confirmation.
A moving experience for those being baptised and renewing their baptism vowels, the bishop blessed the candidates by full immersion.
All six – Lily-Anne, Morgana, Joseph, Noah, Matt and Jim - were then confirmed, sharing their journeys in faith to this point.
Finally, on Sunday 6 July, Bishop Saju worshipped with the congregation of Holy Apostles in Leicester, confirming 10 people, with one being received into the Church of England.
The group included Elizabeth, Lucy, Chimanaka, Jennie, Linda, Krys and Divya.
The candidates, from both the Holy Apostles and St Andrew’s Church in Aylestone, proudly spoke their testimonies of faith with their friends, family and church communities.
Please pray for all those newly baptised and confirmed in our diocese, and for the clergy and lay leaders who prepared them and guide them in their discipleship.
Photos from St John's Hinckley:
