CONFIRMATION
What Is Confirmation?
The rite of Confirmation includes laying on of hands (traditionally by a bishop) together with anointing with oil and the sign of the cross and prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
There was a time in Anglicanism when both Baptism and Confirmation were required for admission to the Lord’s Table. However, the church has rightly re-affirmed the New Testament witness that Baptism alone joins a person to the Church.
Today, Confirmation serves two primary purposes.
For those baptized in infancy, it is an opportunity to make a public profession of faith. The candidate for confirmation “confirms” for themselves the profession of faith made on their behalf at their baptism.
Confirmation also serves as the ordination service for the people of God. The ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons always includes the invocation of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, at confirmation the bishops lays hands on the candidate and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” These invocation is not a suggestion that the Spirit has heretofore been absent from the candidate. Rather, it is an appeal for the giving, awakening, stirring of the Spirit, and for the giving, awakening, and stirring of spiritual gifts for service in Christ’s Church.
When?
Confirmation classes are held several times a year as needed. Check the online calendar for the next class.
What?
The course content is determined class-by-class based on the ages and knowledge of the candidates.
RECEPTION
Those who have been Baptized and Confirmed in a church by a bishop in apostolic succession may be received into the Anglican Church in North America by the bishop. Call the church office for more information.
REAFFIRMATION
Those who have been baptized and confirmed in any Anglican Church in the Anglican Communion, and wish to be recommit themselves to a life of discipleship following Christ may choose to reaffirm their baptismal covenant. Call the church office to discuss this further.
