| If
confirmation
follows an infant
baptism it marks
the point at
which someone
is ready to affirm
for themselves
their commitment
to living a life
centred on following
Christ.
Each
person seeking
confirmation,
the candidate,
renews the promises
made on their
behalf at their
baptism and sometimes
tells the congregation
a little about
their journey
of faith so far.
Then the Bishop
will pray and
lay hands on
the confirmation
candidate, asking
the Holy Spirit
to give them
the strength
to live as a
committed Christian.
When someone
is to be confirmed
and baptised
together the
service follows
the pattern set
by the Baptism
of Jesus which
includes the
symbols of dying
and rising to
a new life – the
image of being
covered in water
and then raised
out of a river – and
the symbol of
being filled
with the Holy
Spirit. (see
the Baptism
section or read the accounts
of Jesus’ Baptism
in Matthew Chapter
3, Mark 1, Luke
3 and John 1).
It is usual
for a confirmation
service to be
followed by a
service of Holy
Communion and
candidates will
take communion – many
for the first
time. However
more and more
dioceses, including
the Diocese of
Birmingham, are
allowing parishes
to welcome children
to communion
before they are
confirmed. Further information
To
read more about
Christian initiation
and confirmation
please visit
www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents.
To discuss your
own circumstances
please contact
your local vicar. |
