Confirmation is the very special way in which our growth in faith since our baptism is ’confirmed’ by a bishop laying on hands and praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15).  After this we have the right to take Holy Communion as a full member of the church.

Baptized children are often too young to understand the commitment, or to make the promises required for confirmation, and we welcome them to receive communion after completion of a Children in Communion course, on the understanding that they will come to confirmation in due course.

preparation for confirmation

This is a short course to ensure that those who are confirmed have a proper understanding of what it means to live as a disciple of Christ within the life of the Church of England. In the past this only required people to understand and accept the Ten Commandments, the Thirty-nine Articles, The Lord’s Prayer and Creeds. Nowadays, while this remains a minimum, great emphasis is also placed on personal discipleship and living faith, and confirmation is a meaningful and public declaration of that adult faith and belonging.

confirmation

If you think this is something you would like to explore please contact the Church office or speak to any member of the clergy.

legal requirements

According to the Canons (laws) of the Church of England those who receive Holy Communion in the Church of England should either have been confirmed in the Church of England or should be ready and desire to be confirmed. Those who are baptized communicant members in good standing of other churches are also welcome to receive Holy Communion in the Church of England with the understanding that if they continue doing so indefinitely then they should be made aware of the normal requirements for reception.

You can read more about confirmation here.

questions?

who can be confirmed?
Anyone who has been baptized in a mainstream church, e.g. Church of England (Anglican), Methodist, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, URC, but not dissenting churches. Because confirmation is effectively the second part, the ‘completion’ of baptism, an un-baptized person cannot be confirmed.  As with baptism, no one can receive valid confirmation more than once.

is confirmation the same as renewal of baptism vows?
The renewal of the baptismal vows can be done more than once and is indeed sometimes repeated at the first Sunday service after Christmas or on special occasions.  Confirmation is not merely the renewal of baptismal vows.  (If it were, there would be no need for the presence of a bishop.)  Within the Church of England it is better thought of as confirmation by the bishop that an individual has reached the stage of maturity in their faith that they can take a full role in the life of the church.

is there a ‘right age’ to be confirmed?
No. Anyone whose baptism is recognised by the Church of England may be confirmed after receiving suitable instruction.  It is important that the individual has sufficient maturity to understand the difference between being an individual Christian, and their social rights and responsibilities as a communicant member of the body of the visible church. For many people, this is an important milestone in their faith, and one that they remember for the rest of their lives.