The Bishop is Coming!

Bishop Cowden during his 2024 visit to St. John’s.

I’m excited to share that Bishop Cowden is scheduled to visit St. John’s on Sunday, October 19, 2025. Bishop Cowden will be present for conversation before our 10:30 worship, as well as a special time to meet with those being confirmed, received, reaffirmed, or baptized before the service, too. Per the Book of Common Prayer on page 860, “Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. It is required of those to be confirmed that they have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.”

So, how will we prepare for Bishop Cowden’s annual visitation? Beginning Sunday, August 17, we’ll discuss the Revs. Scott Gunn and Melode Shobe’s book, Walk In Love. This time of preparation will be a seven-week discussion. The expectation is to have those desiring confirmation present for the majority of the seven-week study, and I hope others join our instructional time, too. Scott and Melody have an enjoyable writing style, and I believe there’s much to be learned from their co-authored writing.

Please speak with Bianca Prince, parish administrator, at 304-346-0359 or church[at]stjohnswv[dot]org to purchase your book for $16. St. John’s will gladly cover the cost of the book for those in financial need. A class schedule will be published closer to our August 17 start date. We’ll cover the book introduction, The Anglican Way of Christianity, and confirmation sponsorship on August 17. Please reach out to Eric+ with any questions. We’ve had several newcomers attend and keep attending St. John’s since Bishop Cowden’s visitation last December. We should have a great turnout for confirmation in 2025.