Six young people who have been part of an unusual ‘forest church’ congregation in Swaledale, North Yorkshire are to be confirmed by the Bishop of Ripon, Rt Revd James Bell next weekend (Saturday 10 October).
The six all belong to a congregation which meets outdoors in the grounds of St Andrew’s Church Grinton. Services are often accompanied by guitar and flute, and include crafts and activities using the Yorkshire Dales woodland.
Vicar, Revd Caroline Hewlett, says that the Confirmation Service, a traditional Anglican service during which candidates make their profession of Christian faith and have hands laid on for the Holy Spirit, will also have some unusual features.
“It will be an informal service, with people moving around to activities around the building. We hope to include some elements to give this a “Forest Church” feel - we are using materials and activities that were used at the Church on Show (at the Great Yorkshire Show) in the summer, as the ministry of the Word. The service will end with refreshments, sparklers and marshmallows around a fire outside.”
Bishop James said, “Forest Church is a highly imaginative and deeply contextual way of growing in the Christian Faith, all credit to Caroline Hewlett and her excellent team. I'm looking forward with excitement to this new Confirmation experience as we pray the grace of the Spirit of Jesus in each of the candidates.”
The six candidates were prepared in Forest Church sessions, using the churchyard environment and material adapted from ‘The Confirmation Experience’ (Kevin Mayhew).
The service is at St Andrew’s, Grinton, at 6pm on Saturday 10 October.