Essentials of Christian Formation

Along with regular participation in the common life of the parish in worship, smaller group meetings, and service to those outside our membership, this course provides a foundation for the formation of Christians as disciples who both follow and image Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Essentials of Christian Formation meets weekly (with a few short breaks) over a roughly six-month period, covering the key teachings of the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The first four weeks of the course are devoted to teaching about the Anglican tradition, its history, theology, polity, and practices.

This year the Essentials course will meet during the Faith and Formation hour between the Sunday morning services, from 9:30 until 10:45, starting on October 8, 2023. On June 1st the Essentials class will continue to meet at 8:45 until 9:45 due to our new summer service time.

Who may participate in the Essentials course? Anyone who wishes to do so! Holy Trinity has been blessed over the last year with a lot of visitors and new regular attenders, and we invite any and all of you to participate, along with any longtime parishioners who are interested as well. We ask that all who wish to be enrolled as members of Holy Trinity participate at least in the first four sessions to learn more about Anglicanism in general and the Diocese of Christ Our Hope and Holy Trinity Church in particular.

All who want a firmer grounding in those fundamental teachings of the faith, or who want to explore them a little more deeply than they have before, or who are genuinely new to the Christian faith are invited to participate. We require those adults who are preparing for baptism or for confirmation or those who wish to be received into the Anglican Church from another tradition to participate in the entire course. For those who are preparing for baptism, participation in the entire course provides a grounding in the Christian faith into which they will be baptized. Similarly, for those baptized persons who were baptized in infancy or childhood but who have never made a mature public profession of faith or for those baptized Christians who are new to Anglicanism from another Christian tradition, participation will serve as preparation for confirmation or reception into the Anglican Church and will provide a “refresher course” and perhaps a firmer grounding for Christian discipleship than they had before.

If you’re interested or have questions, please send an email to our Parish Catechist for Adults, Todd Granger indicating your interest—or just show up.

Frequently Asked QUestions about Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation

Click on the questions below to see answers.

Church Membership

The Book of Common Prayer defines Baptism as “full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church.” Therefore, church membership is contingent upon a person having been baptized. However, faithfulness to a local parish is very important. We, therefore, strongly encourage attenders of Holy Trinity to make specific commitments to our parish which are commensurate with being a member of a local church. Membership is required at Holy Trinity to vote at Annual Meeting and to serve in certain roles of leadership. We offer membership classes once or twice each year. Upon conclusion, those who wish to join Holy Trinity are asked to give their assent to a membership covenant, are recognized during the Sunday liturgy, and are welcomed as new members of our parish.