Confirmation, Affirming the Vows of Baptism

Confirmation is a sacrament within the church and represents a strengthening or deepening of one's relationship with God. Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which you affirm in your heart the faith into which you have been baptized.

"In Confirmation, a baptized Christian makes a mature commitment to Christ, and receives strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop." 
The Book of Common Prayer

The Meaning of Confirmation

The word, Confirmation comes from the Latin word, confirmare, which means “to strengthen,” “to fortify” or “to complete.” Confirmation is a mature affirmation of our baptismal vows – some people think of confirmation as the “second half” of baptism, but that is not literally the case. However, it is a chance to re-visit our baptismal promises, especially if we were baptized as infants, and to re-affirm those promises which were made on our behalf. It is also a sign of full membership to the Christian community.

This public affirmation is confirmed through prayer and the laying on of hands by the local bishop. The Church also asks God to give you power through the Holy Spirit to enable you to live in the way of Jesus.

“Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:14-17

Confirmation in our parish expresses not only a desire to live as an adult Christian, it also indicates a desire to do so in the Anglican Church and the world-wide Anglican Communion.

In the Anglican church, there is no set age for confirmation although it has been traditional for people to be confirmed in early teens. However, anyone who is old enough to answer responsibly for himself/herself and has received appropriate preparation can be confirmed.

Preparing for confirmation

To prepare yourself for Confirmation, you will meet with one of our clergy to explore the Anglican tradition and issues of Christian faith. During a series of sessions with our clergy, either as a group or one on one, you will talk about: basic beliefs of the Christian Church; Anglican distinctiveness, and a review of the service of confirmation.

Interested in Confirmation?

If you are interested in confirmation or are the parent of a youth who would like more information we encourage you to contact the parish office and a time can be arranged for you to have a discussion with one of our parish clergy.