Bringing communities together with confirmations and baptisms

Last month saw a number of people confirmed and baptised from the Maidstone Deanery at St Martin’s Church.

Among the candidates on 24 October, there were members of the Ignite community, a café style church with many attending from marginalised and socially deprived communities who might not have been going to a traditional church.

There were a total of five adults and two young people being confirmed, as well as those being baptised.

One of those baptised and confirmed was Samuel, a member of St Martin’s youth group.

He said: “I found the service really good and life changing.

“Getting baptised and confirmed is something I will always remember, especially when Bishop Rose sprayed everyone with the water.

“I was really happy that all my family were able to see me baptised and confirmed."

This follows three Ignite volunteers from the Sittingbourne Ignite team who were confirmed in September at St John the Baptist Church, Tunstall.

Zoe Davies, Chris Howes and Janine Macey were confirmed on Wednesday 6 September at John the Baptist Church, Tunstall.

Talking about the service, Janine said: “The experience was amazing - it’s like I’ve become a whole new person or the person I was always meant to be.

“I’ve got such a great sense of peace.”

The service was well attended and included a number of representatives from Sittingbourne Ignite and the congregations from St Michael, Sittingbourne and Bobbing, who had come to support the candidates.

Speaking about the occasion, The Revd David Ridley said: “In her address, Bishop Rose emphasised the imperative for Christian communities to demonstrate love and forgiveness in their relationships with one another - values which we seek to live out and embody in Ignite.”

Picture: Chris (on the left), Janine (second left) and Zoe (second right) are pictured with the other candidates from the Sittingbourne and Bobbing Benefice, together with Ignite Enabler, Karen Burgess (back right).

First published on: 9th November 2023
Page last updated: Wednesday 15th November 2023 1:13 PM
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