Christian Initiation
2005 Louisville, Kentucky
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
Convener 2005
David B. Batchelder (parish minister at West Plano Presbyterian Church, Plano, Texas with a Doctor of Ministry degree in liturgy from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; active in the liturgical renewal of the PC[USA] as adjunct faculty and leader in the development of initiation rites for a Reformed catechumenate)
Seminar Participants 2005
Members: Gerard Austin, David Batchelder, Daniel Benedict, Margaret Bick, Timothy Fitzgerald, Jerry Galipeau, John Hill, Lawrence E. Mick, John J. O’Brien, Tom Rand, Tony Sherman, Mark W. Stamm, Victoria Tufano, Paul Turner
Visitors: Dr. Rowena Roppelt, Dr. D. Jay Koyle, Rev, Dennis Chriszt, and Rev. William H. Peterson
Seminar Report 2005
The work of the seminar in 2005 reflects the current interest of the study group in the areas of ritual dysfunction, catechetical formation of the assembly as well as catechumens, cultural pressures which deform the assembly’s ministry of catechumenate, and infant baptism. Papers presented for discussion were:
- “Re-examination of Exclusive Paschal Baptism and its Implications for What Baptism Means” by Paul Turner;
- “Household Baptism” by John Hill;
- “Blessings for Children and Non-Catholics during the Distribution of Communion” by Tony Sherman;
- “Making Disciples the Way Jesus Did: René Girard and the Future of Catechesis” by John Hill; and
- “The Ministry of Catechumenate in a Da Vinci Code World” by David B. Batchelder.
Looking Ahead to 2006
The seminar leadership will change leadership as Dr. Mark Stamm assumes the responsibility of convener. The group continues to remain interested in mystagogy, ethics, and issues of hospitality to the baptized and unbaptized alike. The question and concerns of open communion continue to command the group’s attention. In 2006, we look forward to:
- Baptismal space and its implications for initiation; the work of other NAAL members will be reviewed and reported upon by Paul Turner and Tim Fitzgerald;
- John O’Brien will lead the group in a discussion of The Change of Conversion and the Origin of Christendom by Alan Kreider (Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press, 1999);
- Paul Turner will lead a group discussion on problems having to do with the Roman Catholic Rite of Reception into full communion “with” or “of” the Roman Catholic Church;
- Several of our seminar members plan to attend a meeting on the catechumenate in Scandinavian countries being held this spring in Sweden. These members will lead the group in a review and reflection on the state of the catechumenate in countries outside North America;
- Continuing the work he presented in 2005, John Hill will explore the implications of René Girard’s theory and hermeneutic for the practice of the Scrutinies;
- Vicky Tufano will present an overview of the significant Roman Catholic paper, “Journey to the Fullness of Faith” and Dan Benedict will reflect on the value of this piece for Protestant churches doing catechumenal ministry; and
- John O’Brien will present his work on the paper, “The Ethics of Water in the Pastoral Letters on the Environment by the U.S. and Canadian Catholic Bishops and the Concerns of the World Watch Essays on Water.”