St. Mary's Episcopal Church welcomes Bishop Croneberger, 75 confirmands

Sparta - The Right Reverend John P. Croneberger, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, was the celebrant and preacher for the confirmation of 75 confirmands from District 2 at two separate services held on June 4 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Sparta. District 2 is composed of 14 churches of the Newark Diocese. The duties of ushering, lay reading, cross bearer, and service on the altar were shared by the various churches. At the conclusion of the service, Croneberger posed individually with each of the confirmands. The Reverend Orion Davis, Priest at St. Mary’s, extended congratulations to the confirmands and their families and friends who supported them during preparation for confirmation. “It is of special significance that these young people were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday,” said Davis. “Pentecost is when Christians were given the gift of the Holy Spirit as told in the Gospel of John (20:19-23). The Holy Spirit is the breath, the life, of God.” For information on St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Sparta, call 973-729-3136 or log on to stmarys-sparta.dioceseofnewark.org.