Heard Along The Journey (There's a place for you this fall.)
“I have really needed this.” –spoken by many
“This shows we are trying to care for one another in this church.” –a Traveler
“This whole thing means something. The Journey is important.” –a Traveler
Questions? Contact the church office
“This shows we are trying to care for one another in this church.” –a Traveler
“This whole thing means something. The Journey is important.” –a Traveler
Questions? Contact the church office
The Journey is not a program. It is not a Christian Education curriculum. It is a process by which the Traveler observes the community of the baptized, explores the place of faith in one’s life, asks questions, and in so doing, discovers a life-changing sense of rootedness with Christ and is church.
So what does this journey look like in real life? The Journey is a process comprised of four phases. There is no particular time line for movement through each phase; but, in general, each will take about four to six gathering times.
Phase One – Inquiry, or “Come and See”
During Inquiry, you will get to know your fellow travelers through reflection on your faith journey to the present, as well as your questions about the Christian faith. When you are ready to move on, there will be a special service, a Celebration of Welcome. After this time, your Companion (specially chosen to walk with you) will join you throughout the rest of your journey.
Phase Two – Exploration, or “Come and Explore”
This phase is your opportunity to discern your readiness for baptism or to reaffirm your baptism. It is a time to be formed in how we worship, pray, reflect on scripture, as well as our involvement in ministry, service and justice for others in need. When you are ready to move on from Exploration, we will celebrate your continuing journey with Celebration of Enrollment. (It makes “the” journey with Jesus, “my” journey with Jesus.)
Phase Three – Intense Preparation, or “Come and Prepare”
The purpose of this phase in the process is to encounter Jesus and to accept his call to belong to the reign of God. It is the time to focus on your commitment to Christ and to prepare for baptism or the affirmation of all it promises. At the conclusion of this phase, we celebrate with the Sacrament of Baptism or, for those who have already been baptized, the Affirmation of Baptism. (This is a time to move from the “head” to the “heart” of our faith.)
Phase Four – Baptismal Living, or “Come and Serve”
During this phase you will continue to explore the habits of faith, and the focus also turns to the gifts you bring to the work of Christ for ministry and service in daily life. The Celebration of Discipleship is your opportunity to begin acting out the Great Commission in your journey to and from the font and a time to begin your own ministry of service in Christ’s name.
So what does this journey look like in real life? The Journey is a process comprised of four phases. There is no particular time line for movement through each phase; but, in general, each will take about four to six gathering times.
Phase One – Inquiry, or “Come and See”
During Inquiry, you will get to know your fellow travelers through reflection on your faith journey to the present, as well as your questions about the Christian faith. When you are ready to move on, there will be a special service, a Celebration of Welcome. After this time, your Companion (specially chosen to walk with you) will join you throughout the rest of your journey.
Phase Two – Exploration, or “Come and Explore”
This phase is your opportunity to discern your readiness for baptism or to reaffirm your baptism. It is a time to be formed in how we worship, pray, reflect on scripture, as well as our involvement in ministry, service and justice for others in need. When you are ready to move on from Exploration, we will celebrate your continuing journey with Celebration of Enrollment. (It makes “the” journey with Jesus, “my” journey with Jesus.)
Phase Three – Intense Preparation, or “Come and Prepare”
The purpose of this phase in the process is to encounter Jesus and to accept his call to belong to the reign of God. It is the time to focus on your commitment to Christ and to prepare for baptism or the affirmation of all it promises. At the conclusion of this phase, we celebrate with the Sacrament of Baptism or, for those who have already been baptized, the Affirmation of Baptism. (This is a time to move from the “head” to the “heart” of our faith.)
Phase Four – Baptismal Living, or “Come and Serve”
During this phase you will continue to explore the habits of faith, and the focus also turns to the gifts you bring to the work of Christ for ministry and service in daily life. The Celebration of Discipleship is your opportunity to begin acting out the Great Commission in your journey to and from the font and a time to begin your own ministry of service in Christ’s name.