Confirmation in the Christian faith
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
In the Church of England, Christian initiation is a two-step process – baptism, followed by confirmation.
A confirmation service is a special service, which is led by one of the Bishops in the Diocese, during which those who have been baptized will confirm the promises that were made for them at their baptism, or that they made for themselves. Sometimes people are both baptized and confirmed during a confirmation service.
A confirmation service is especially meaningful for those who were baptized before they were old enough to make the baptism promises for themselves – it gives them an opportunity to publicly own those promises. And for those who made the promises for themselves at their baptism service, it provides an opportunity to join with other Christians from other parts of the Diocese to proclaim the faith that we share.
During the confirmation service, the Bishop prayers this prayer for those who are being confirmed:
Almighty and ever-living God,
you have given these your servants new birth
in baptism by water and the Spirit,
and have forgiven them all their sins.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord.
Amen.
Here at St Michael’s, we run a 5-session course to prepare candidates for confirmation, in which we look at some of the big question of life, such as “Who is Jesus and why did he die?” “Why do we suffer?” “What happens when we die?” and “How do we pray?”
If you would like to enquire about confirmation, please contact the vicar,
Revd David Cattle: vicar@stmichaelsgalleywood.org.uk