Baptismal & confirmation candidate Carm Silvey with service participants and baptismal sponsors (like godparents, only for an adult). L-R: Back row - Sponsor Caron Hallen, Bishop Michael Hawkins, Sponsor Ray Dickson, the Reverend Steve Page. Middle row - Sponsor Sharon Washburn, the Reverend Julie Golding Page, Baptismal candidate Carm Silvey, Bishop's Chaplain Liam Washburn. Front row - Servers Emily Hallen & Tyler Dickson, Cheyenne Silvey, Sponsor Cheryl Leason.By the Reverend Julie Golding Page

On Sunday, January 17, Bishop Michael Hawkins was at St. Patrick's Church, Hudson Bay, for an adult baptism and confirmation.

The adult candidate, Carm Silvey, has been attending St. Patrick's Church with her 3-year-old, Cheyenne, a faithful Sunday school student, since this September and has been itching to be baptized. Carm's comment was that it was "a really, really good day" and she was excited to be baptized.

Baptismal & confirmation candidate Carm Silvey with service participants. L-R, back row - the Reverend Julie Golding Page, Carm Silvey, Bishop Michael Hawkins, the Reverend Steve Page. Front Row - Servers Emily Hallen & Tyler Dickson, Bishop's Chaplain Liam Washburn.Parish priests Steve & Julie Golding Page also participated in the baptism, along with several children from the church community. Liam Washburn (10) took on the role of Bishop's Chaplain with great élan, while Tyler Dickson (8) and Emily Hallen (6) thoroughly enjoyed being servers, with Emily serving for the first time. All three looked very spiffy in their red cassocks and white surplices, and they carried out their duties with great care and enthusiasm, delighting Bishop Michael. Sponsors Cheryl Leason, Sharon Washburn, Caron Hallen and Ray Dickson stood by Carm's side during the baptism itself, along with Carm's daughter, Cheyenne. Little Cheyenne looked on with great interest and wonder as her mom emerged from the font with her hair dripping.

Following the BCP service of baptism, Bishop Michael confirmed Carm and then presided over her first communion. All of this took place in front of a congratulatory crowd that included St. Patrick's folks, as well as several members of Carm's family.

After the service, the party moved to the church hall, where there was a sumptuous potluck buffet waiting for everyone, followed by a special celebratory cake for Carm and her well-wishers. As Carm cut the cake, several church members brought her cards, gifts, and congratulatory hugs to welcome her into the church community as a full member.

Baptismal & confirmation candidate Carm Silvey with baptismal sponsors (like godparents, only for an adult). L-R, back row - Caron Hallen, Bishop Michael Hawkins, Ray Dickson. Front row - Sharon Washburn, Carm Silvey, Cheryl Leason.Bishop Michael stayed on after the potluck, spending the afternoon with the church's Bible study group in a stimulating discussion on the topic "what Anglicans believe and practice about baptism." After the discussion, which involved both serious topics and much fun and laughter, Bible study members, who were meeting at Lexy Hawley's home, enjoyed slices of Lexy's famous Christmas rum cake.