September was a busy month of baptisms and confirmations, as we witnessed a host of people - young and old and from the breadth of the diocese, - make a commitment to Christ.
Bishop Martyn and Bishop Saju shared significant moments with our worshipping communities, joining people on their journeys in faith, and praying together.
Bishop Saju travelled to Hose, near Melton Mowbray, on Sunday 6 September to join the congregation of St Michael & All Angels Church for a joyful service of baptism and confirmation.
Surrounded by family, friends and members of the church community, Karen, Leslie, Aoife, Charlotte, Sophie, Hope, Zac and Beth were confirmed by the Bishop, with the support of the Revd Simon Shouler.
In the afternoon of that same day, Bishop Saju returned to the woodland setting of Windmill Forest Church in Bottesford to baptise Gemma (by bucket!) and to confirm Holly, Gemma, Vicky, Anita and Dawn in their faith.
Special mention was made during the gathering of the bond shared by Windmill’s “five Sisters in Christ” and the importance of them supporting each other as they move forward together in their journeys of faith.
The confirmations were followed by communion and the Forest Church tradition of singing Amazing Grace, before the community ate a campfire cooked pasta dish together, followed by a variety of chocolate cake for every dietary need.
Pioneer Laura Marsh, leader of Windmill Forest Church, expressed her gratitude to Bishop Saju for coming out to the forest, noting the importance of the forest setting and the Forest Church community in enabling the five to feel secure and safe enough to confirm their faith.
Testimonies of the five women written in advance of the day confirm this, with one member saying she wouldn’t have attended church at all if it wasn’t in the forest, and others saying:
“We can be fully ourselves to others and God in the forest.”
“The forest is where I can feel God’s presence.”
And “the Forest Church community is incredible, and I love the fact I am loved and accepted just as I am.”
It was quite the celebration at Emmanuel Church in Loughborough on Sunday 20 September when an encouraging 26 people from across four worshipping communities were confirmed by Bishop Saju.
The congregation was filled with hope, joy, and many church family and friends, there to support the faith journeys of:
Shirley, Roma, Marley, Esther, John, Jack, Magda, Sarah, Caroline, from Emmanuel.
Philip, Benji, Jehrome, Hadassha, Caleb, Jedidah and James from the Good Shepherd, Loughborough.
Jessica, Sheena, Darren, Emmanuel, Evangeline, Eli and Ezra from St Barnabas, Grange Park (STB).
And Zephaniah, Zipporah, and Abraham from Rothley Parish Church.
So many stories of faith and hope were shared and celebrated during the service.
That same Sunday, Bishop Martyn journeyed north-west of the diocese to Whitwick, where he joined worshippers at St. John the Baptist Church for a celebratory service of baptism and confirmation with holy communion.
Bishop Martyn confirmed Stephen, Sarah, Dylan, Laceyrose, Richard and Irene from St John’s, and Lisa and Samantha from Holy Trinity Church in Ashby.
Addressing each candidate by name, the Bishop anointed them with oil and prayed for their continued journeys in faith.
Please pray for all those who have recently been baptised and confirmed in the diocese.