Confirmations 2015
Opportunities for Confirmation, Reception and Re-Affirmation are scheduled eachspring beginning at Easter and into the season of Pentecost at St. James Cathedral and at host congregations in our diocese. All congregations are welcome to present candidates for confirmation and reception at any of the services listed below.
Saturday, April 4, 2015 EASTER VIGIL at 8:00pm
St. James Cathedral
65 East Huron
Chicago, IL 60611
Saturday, June 6, 2015 Diocesan Confirmationat 11:00am
St. James Cathedral
65 East Huron
Chicago, IL 60611
Please contact Anne Cothran for details about participating in the Easter Vigil Serviceand Diocesan Confirmation. 312-751-4217 or
The dates and locations ofRegional Confirmations are:
Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11:00am(Bishop Epting)
Christ Church
784 Sheridan Road
Winnetka, IL 60093-2652
847-446-2850 or
Saturday, May 23, 2015 at11:00am(Bishop Lee)
Trinity Episcopal Church
130 North West Street
Wheaton, IL 60187-5062
630- 665-1101 or
Congregations wishing to participate in one of the scheduled confirmations are asked to contact the host congregation well in advance of the servicewith the anticipated numbers of candidates to be presented and to provide the names of those candidates two weeks prior to the service so that they can be listed in the service bulletin. Also provide the names to the Bishop’s office using the confirmation form available on the diocesan website. This form is included in the permanent diocesan record of confirmations and receptions and certificates are prepared for the names listed and mailed to the congregation for presentation
Candidates and sponsors are asked to arrive by 10:00amat the regional confirmations and the diocesan confirmation in order to meet with the Bishop prior to the 11:00am service.
Candidates and sponsors do not process but are seated together by congregation in reserved pews. The host congregation is asked to prepare a name badgefor each candidate with first Name in large readable print and a “C” (confirmation), “R “(reception), or “ B” (reaffirmation of baptismal vows) below. Participating congregations provide the names of candidates to the host congregation two weeks prior to the date of the service.
At the presentation and examination of the candidates, each congregation presents its candidates. It’s appropriate for the priest in charge of the congregation to make this presentation. The candidates simply stand as a group wherever they are seated in the church. After all the candidates have been presented, they will all respond to the Bishop’s questions.
The Bishop prefers to stand for confirmations and receptions and asks that candidates come forward and stand before him for the laying on of hands. Depending on the configuration of the church, candidates can come forward as a group and take their places at the Communion rail and the Bishop will move from candidate to candidate or candidates can come forward in a line and stand before the Bishop individually in turn. Sponsors and family members are invited to stand behind and around the candidate. It is helpful if the host congregation provides the layout and plan for the staging of the confirmations in advance for the Bishop to review.
The host congregation will coordinate arrangements with participating congregations for a reception to follow the service.
Photos of the candidates with the Bishop may be taken following the service.
The Bishopwill be available to sign copies of the Book of Common Prayer. The host congregation is asked to provide a table and two chairs so that the Bishop can sit while signing prayer books. Candidates may bring their prayer books to the designated signing tablefollowing the service and photos. The Book of Common Prayer can be purchased from And All the Angels Bookstore in Barrington (847) 382-6435 or Missions Possible Bookstore in Lake Forest (847) 234-4760.
The Service
The service is in the context of Holy Eucharist Rite II and should be a multi-congregational and inclusive worship experience.
The Propers for Confirmation to be used this year are: Isaiah 61: 1-9;Ephesians 4:7, 11-16; Luke 4:16-21.
White is the liturgical color for the services.
The Bishop will preach.
For suggestions on creative use of music and hymnody, planners are encouraged to contact Dent Davidson, Associate for Arts and Liturgy at (312) 751-4216 or .
If the host congregation has a deacon, the bishop looks forward to serving with him or her. If there is not a deacon to serve, a deacon will accompany the bishop and serve in the liturgy.
Communion can be distributed at the rail or at stations.
Names of candidates are listed in the service bulletin if they are received by the host congregation two weeks in advance.
Laity from participating congregations who wish to serve as ushers, Eucharistic ministers, and oblationers are asked to contact the host congregation.
The offering is designated for the bishop’s discretionary fund. Checks should be payable to “Bishop’s Discretionary Fund”and mailed to the Bishop’s Office, St. James Commons, 65 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611.
The host congregation is asked to send a copy of the service bulletin (electronically or by mail) for the Bishop to review at least 1 week in advance.
Confirmation Form and Certificates
Each participating congregation is asked to return (by email or regular mail) the completed Confirmation Form to the Bishop’s Office listing the names of those confirmed or received or reaffirming their baptismal vows. Based on this information, certificatessigned by the Bishopare sent for presentation. The Confirmation Formis available on the diocesan website under Visitation Information for Bishop Lee or Bishop Epting:
Rectors and Vicars are asked to bring their church registers to the service so that the Bishops may sign them.
Information for those participating in services at St. James Cathedral
Directions
St. James Cathedral is located in the heart of Chicago on the corner of East Huron Street and North Wabash Avenue. Easily accessible by public transportation, the Cathedral is near the Chicago Avenue stop on the CTAs Red Line and close to the Michigan Avenue bus routes (Superior or Eriestops).
Parking
The Diocese of Chicago has parking validation for the following two lots located near St. James Commons (65 E. Huron). To receive a reduced-rate parking voucher, please request one from the St. James Commons receptionist.
Millennium Centre Self Park
33 W. Ontario
Chicago, IL 60654
312.274.0411
Rate: $9.00
Rush-Ohio-Wabash (ROW) Self Park
50 E. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Rate: $14.00 for up to 8 hours
There is also limited street parking around the Cathedral. Pay boxes are located on each block.
Handicapped Access
St. James Cathedral and the Diocesan Center are now totally accessible. There is a ramped sidewalk located onHuron Street in the middle of the block between Rush and Wabash. This ramp provides access to the Welcome Center as well as the Cathedral. Accessible restrooms are located in the Welcome Center.
Children Welcome at St. James Cathedral
We encourage you to bring children of any age to worship. There is a "Kids at Prayer" area at the front of the Cathedral on the right especially for your little ones. Don’t worry if your children won’t sit still. We understand that is part of being a child. Feel free to move around. If your child needs to take a walk or get a drink of water, please feel welcome to tend to those needs. If you prefer to try our nursery, it is available for children up to three years of age.
Note:This set of guidelines is a work in process and we welcome your questions and comments so that we may continue to update the information to make it as helpful as possible. Please send your questions or comments to Anne Cothran: .