Introducing Catechism in Family Prayer

I serve in the Anglican Church for many reasons, but chiefly because I believe that it is the very best church to faithfully invite and form young people into the life of Jesus. With our ancient roots, love of beauty, comfort with mystery, and clarity on biblical orthodoxy, the ACNA offers a compelling Kingdom witness to our current and next generations. Further, our churches are committed to the formation of young people in and through the family. 

We know that each of our churches offer worship in Word and Sacrament, truly life and sustenance to all who receive. We also know that the family is the most influential aspect of any young person from infancy into adulthood. We see the confluence of church and family best in the journey from Baptism to Confirmation, as parents take vows to raise children to know the truth and relationship with Jesus as their own. 

In both Baptism and Confirmation, we affirm the importance and power found in exploring Holy Scripture, the Creeds, and the Catechism. You have witnessed confirmands state this as a vow to your bishop prior to being confirmed. Many of you have led young people through Confirmation, caring for them as they engage our doctrines in ways that provoke them toward love and good deeds. Over the last two years, the single most common question from youth pastors, rectors, and parents has been about how to prepare young people for Confirmation authentically.

This is why I am excited to share with you the first month of Catechism in Family Prayer. In this resource, the Student Leadership Network Team, along with other Next Generation Leadership Initiative leaders, have integrated the whole of the Catechism with the Family Devotion format from the Book of Common Prayer. Why?

To place our common prayer and our common teaching in the most influential space for a young person: the home. 

While you can use this Catechism in Family Prayer in many ways (and we hope to hear how you adapt it to your context), it is designed for families as they prepare for Confirmation and continue their formational life. We are providing two versions for you to download: one as a PDF for you to share and another as a PDF formatted to print as a booklet.

Please explore this first month on your own, with a small cohort at church, or with your families who will begin Confirmation in 2022. Let us know your thoughts and feedback by January 15 so that they can be considered for our release of February through May the week of January 24. We will be releasing the remainder the week of May 2.

It is my hope, and the hope of all who worked on this resource, that Catechism in Family Prayer will support and encourage you as you invite young people to live in the fullness of life found only in Jesus. 

Let there be light,

Rev. Aaron Buttery

Student Leadership Network Director, NGLI

Next Generation Leader, C4SO

Associate Rector, IAC

Learn more about the mission and vision of Next Generation Leadership Initiative