Yesterday was not significant, except for one appointment Michael had, at church. He will be baptized into the Episcopal faith on November 7th. I am very pleased he has agreed to this.
He has always said he believed in God, and he willingly participates in prayers and church, which is good. Some teens rebel. He might rebel at some point, but so far, so good.
We don't know if he was baptized in Kazakhstan. If he was, it was most likely as a Russian orthodox. Since there is no known record, I felt like like he needed to be baptized in our church. He is also taking Rite 13 classes during Sunday School time, and those prepare him to be confirmed in a couple of years. Confirmation is an adult making a decision to join the church. I was confirmed at age 11, and that's relaly too young. I remember the classes as extremely boring, and I didn't really make a decision to join so much as I just went along with things. I think it's important that an adolescent or teen really understand the Christian faith, and make an informed decision.
Laura [our assistant priest] was very patient about explaining to him the ritual, and we even walked into the sanctuary and walked through the steps. It's just a brief time during the regular service where prayers are said and a little holy water is poured on his head, and he is annointed. I think it's a lovely ritual.
I was looking around the internet for something that might explain confirmation to any of you reading who are not familiar with that, and I came across an interesting discussion on a Roman Catholic message board, about whether or not a Roman Catholic should attend an Episcopal confirmation. I was sort of amused to read through it and realize even among Catholics today there seem to be some who view the Episcopal Church as heretic. "Go, but just observe and don't take communion" one person said. Several people said to go and then urge the Episcopalian to "come home to Rome." It amazes and sort of horrifies me that anyone today would feel that way. Then again, I remember attending a Catholic church with a friend not too many years ago and before communion it was announced that only Roman Catholics would be allowed to partake.
In the Episcopal church everyone who is a baptized Christian is welcome to take communion, no matter what denomination.
If you'd like more information about the Episcopal church, it's origins and practices, here is a terrific link to a web page put up by a church in Virginia that answers questions. Excellent page.
My view is pretty expansive. I don't think any particular denomination has a monopoly on salvation.
I often read Michael's textbooks to him, because he learns by listening. I was reading his science textbook to him yesterday, and he was lying on my bed. I was fascinated because they are studying the human body, and reading about the heart and how it functions has always been really interesting to me. Michael fell sound asleep. I finally noticed it, and I said "OK, then I am going to go downstairs and make dinner, and YOU are going to do your homework, and answer those questions, on your own." I didn't say it in a mean way, but I was a bit annoyed. He gets a solid 9 hours of sleep every night.
No other news, I'm afraid...
