About Become
You’ve been going to church for a while, and you are ready to explore what it means to be baptized. Or perhaps you are baptized, but have been away from the church and are interested in rediscovering your baptismal covenant and discerning its meaning for your life. Maybe you’ve experienced a life transition and feel called to renew your faith. Become is the process that can prepare you for the sacrament of baptism or reaffirmation of your baptismal vows.
During the six weeks of Become, you will prepare to meet Christ in baptism. You will explore how we encounter God in the trinity, how we form the Body of Christ as Christian community, how we are fed in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and how we discern life and ministry following baptism. Become is an open forum for asking questions and for deepening your relationship with Christ and others on this journey into the life of the church. Study of scripture and prayer are central to each session. Brief video teachings provide personal insight into the themes of Become:
- Encountering God
- Experiencing the Body of Christ
- Receiving Life
- Being Fed
- Hearing God’s Call
- Living Our Rhythm of Life Together
Become can serve as a continuation of Embrace, or it can stand alone as a course for those wishing to be baptized or to reaffirm their baptismal vows.
What does a Become group look like?
There are two types of Become groups:
- Groups that gather and interact on-line
- Groups that gather in person
Groups are made up of 6-8 individuals with two mentors, whose role it is to listen, guide, and encourage. In addition, a sponsor comes alongside each candidate for baptism or reaffirmation of baptismal vows. It is the role of church clergy to assist individuals in identifying a sponsor.
What does a typical session of Become look like?
Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and follows a predictable flow. The structure is simple and flexible, allowing groups to move at their own pace and explore areas they feel led to enter into more deeply.
Typical flow:
- Teaching (~10 minutes)
Brief, provocative video “sharings” from clergy and lay leaders around the state will help you cross the threshold into your time together as well as provide themes for discussion during the session and the week ahead. - Bible study (~40 minutes)
During Bible study, you will come close to the story of God and the teachings of Jesus, and make connections for your daily life, your relationships, and your understanding of God’s love for all. We use the method of “aural Bible study,” which helps individuals learn to listen to scripture and to each other in new ways. You will begin to understand that scripture can help you articulate your own struggles and listen to how God might be inviting you to change. - Prayer (~10 minutes)
Each session closes in prayer. You will pray for each other, with each person praying for the person to the right or left and continuing to pray for that person until the next gathering.
Is there any “homework”?
Online participants will be invited to continue interacting between gatherings via on-line discussions posted by the group’s mentors. You will also be able to use discussions to ask questions and share reflections and experiences.
Groups meeting in person may also choose to use on-line discussions to “continue the conversation” and go deeper. This is up to each individual group.
Baptismal candidates and those wishing to reaffirm their baptismal vows should attend church weekly and be in regular conversation with their sponsors as they experience this intense time of preparation.
What are the expectations?
- Participation in gatherings and on-line discussions
- A willingness to go deeper
- Questions!
- Being open to transformation
- Honoring each member of your group
- Regular church attendance and conversation with your sponsor
For more information, to start an Embrace group at your church, or to see if there is an on-line cohort available, contact the Faith Formation team at Faith@EpiscopalColorado.org.