Community Chat: Welcoming the Already Baptized – The Rite

A JBL Community Chat:  Welcoming the Already Baptized—The Rite

Wednesday, October 26 at 7:00-8:00pm CT

For most of us many of the inquirers who join our catechumenate processes are already baptized.  Yet the rites we have with the catechumenate are for the unbaptized.  Through baptism, Christ claimed the already baptized as members of the Body of Christ.  However, many of us include the already baptized in our catechumenates.  This is in recognition that these candidates need to affirm their baptismal covenant.  But the RITES that mark the different thresholds in the catechumenal process must be different for the affirmers.  These rites must make it clear to all who participate that we are not re-baptizing the candidates.  They must appropriately celebrate that the candidates are preparing to affirm their baptisms rather than preparing to be baptized.  For example, the Rite of Welcoming Hearers (catechumens) marks each of them with the sign of the cross.  How do we celebrate that moment with those affirming their baptisms?  How do we respect their Baptism and Christian formation?

This Community Chat will discuss JBL’s Ecumenical Rite of Welcoming the Already Baptized to a journey of affirmation.  A new resource developed by scholars and practitioners will also be introduced.

Thomas Schattauer will lead the chat. Tom is a pastor in the ELCA. He recently retired from teaching worship at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque. From the beginning he has been member of JBL’s eastern conversation which produced the Ecumenical Rites. This is the second chat that he has led on rites for JBL.

Terry Martinez will host the chat. Terry is a member of the catechumenate leadership team at New Hope Presbyterian Church in St.Charles, Missouri.  Terry is also a JBL board member.

To participate, register at enews@journeytobaptism.org.  Put “Community Chat” in the subject line and your name and phone number in the body of the text.  We will send you a Zoom link and your chat material nearer the date of the Chat.

Journey to Baptismal Living is an ecumenical community of Christians seeking to support formation in discipleship by exploring the meaning of baptismal identity, faith, and mission. The leadership offers training programs and events to develop skills and resources for baptismal preparation and for deepening faith in baptismal living. https://journeytobaptism.org