IN the Episcopal Church, at least in the USA a sponsor is an adult member who openly sponsors a confirmation candidate by publicly supporting and endorsing them. SO to enroll in confirmation class, I was told by this priest, I had to first find a sponsor. And being new in town, unknown, I knew no one to approach about that .
Now in college, my roommate and I started attending the Episcopal church off campus almost every Sunday. But as students there as no time to try to seek confirmation. After college, I moved away. SO I had hoped to continue that same involvement but found that the priest of that church was not particularly helpful, and it was the only Episcopal church in the area. He also told me that a person from a Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian or other Episcopal church can be accepted by transfer as a member, but for anyone else to become a member, they had to go through confirmation class, which to me was a giant brick wall with no way through, over or around.
Later in life, in a another state, I just started attending the Episcopal church and told a few people "Yeah I just moved here from out of state...." There was no questioning about my background, people seemed to not be too concerned. It was not like at say a Baptist church, or worst of all, a Bible church, where everyone wants to quiz a newbie about everything that they think and believe (if not to screen potential members, but to at least provoke an argument). Now I recently moved in the past two years from a very small town to a larger town near a big city, almost a suburb, so finding a nearby high church was easy.
I had submitted a membership card for the new directory, but when it came out, I was not in it.
Oddly enough, a lady there who did not seem to know my name came up after the service on week with another lady and referred to me "As the parishioner who donated the money for the charity event" the other lady thanked me for my generosity (it was not that much really I thought) but the fact that she used the term "parishioner" showed that she assumed by my frequent presence and donations to charitable outreaches that I must be a member I was also, for the longest time, on the Email list for one of the charitable committees but have not heard from anyone there in weeks either. SO I am not sure what is going on. Not that it matters, there are hundreds or perhaps thousands of charitable agencies that are starving for money and help. I particularly like what is happening at this church.
SO As I thought about it, the membership thing is no big deal. I have avoided membership for decades, I thought it would be OK to have my name on the membership list of this church, but in the end, does it really matter? no it does not. The work, the money, the charitable contributions will happen with or without my name on the list.
I wish I had someone like Paidiske in my spiritual life growing up. At least I am thankful and grateful that I met her on here.
