CONFIRMATION
Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which you affirm for yourself the faith into which you have been baptised and your intention to live a life of committed discipleship. This affirmation is confirmed through prayer and the laying on of hands by the confirming bishop. The Church also asks God to give you power through the Holy Spirit to enable you to live in the way of Jesus.
Your confirmation will be led by the bishop. Confirmation at St Cuthbert’s, St Stephen’s & St John’s takes place on a rota basis and candidates from all three churches will be confirmed on the same day. Occasionally confirmation takes place at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool. The Rector will inform you as to where this year’s confirmation will be held.
What is the right age for confirmation?
There is no right age for a person to be confirmed. Anyone can be confirmed if they have been baptised, if they are old enough to answer responsibly for themselves. As a general rule anyone over 10 years old and can answer for themselves.
What happens during confirmation classes?
The purpose of confirmation preparation is 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. The preparation focuses on enabling young people to live a life of committed discipleship in a world of multimedia and globalised culture. Encouraging candidates to grow in their Christian faith and actively participating in the life of the church.
Where & When can you be confirmed?
At St Cuthbert’s Church we take it in turns with St Stephen’s Church, Banks and St John’s Church in Crossens to hold a group confirmation led by the Bishop. Occasionally we are invited to attend Liverpool Anglican Cathedral as part of their confirmation evening. Please ask the Rector after the 10.30am Sunday service as to when the next confirmation will be.
During the service
Using the words based on Isaiah 11:2, the Bishop leads the people in praying for the Holy Spirit to rest upon those being confirmed and following this confirmation prayer the bishop addresses each candidate by name and says:
‘(name) God has called you by name and made you his own.’
The Bishop thens lays his hand on the head of each candidate saying
‘Confirm, O Lord, your servant (name) with your Holy Spirit’
Each candidate replies Amen
The Bishop will make a sign of the cross on your forehead.
When all have been confirmed in this way, the Bishop invites the congregation to join with him praying :
‘Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen’
After Confirmation
Your first communion at St Cuthbert’s Church will take place the first Sunday after your confirmation.
Acknowledgement. Some material on this page is adapted from the Church of England website.