Dear Friends,
Increasingly, rites of passage are being seen as crucially important in the development of children and a society. They mark important moments of transition between stages and particularly that transition from childhood to adult. As one who is part of a family experiencing some of those transitions at the moment, it is not always easy – for those watching or coaching nor for those going through it – but it is exciting. In our culture, learning to drive, finishing school, getting your first real job are all part of the process.
From a spiritual perspective, so are baptism and confirmation!
This year again we are offering an opportunity for people to be confirmed.
Confirmation is an Anglican rite that those who were baptised as children can offer themselves for. (Generally, those not baptised as children are baptised as adults instead of being confirmed). People who ask to be “Confirmed” are seeking to confirm publicly that the promises made in their infant baptism have come to fruition. Confirmees stand before the church to say that they have taken on faith for themselves and to affirm that they themselves are believers in the Lord Jesus and intend to live a life serving and following Jesus.
Confirmation is therefore a big deal. It is a public confession that you are a Christian and are determined to follow Jesus. In the past it was also the point from which people were allowed to take the Lord’s Supper however unconfirmed children are able to participate now if their parents are convinced they are believers and they have discussed this with the minister!
I was confirmed in 1988 and there are still photos of me beaming from ear to ear holding my certificate while wearing white pants, a white shirt and a thin red leather tie! I treasure that moment – not because it made me a real Christian, but because I stood before my family and friends and declared, “I follow Jesus!”
So, who can be confirmed? Anyone aged 15 or over who has been baptised and is ready to stand before the church and affirm their faith and their determination to follow Jesus.
Please speak to me soon if you or your teenager is interested in being Confirmed. In order to prepare people for Confirmation I will be running a four week course in Term 4. The Confirmation service will be on Sunday 26th November.
In Christ
Nigel