Confirmation for Adults
I thought Confirmation was only for children?
Lots of people think that if you were not confirmed as a teenager, you can’t be confirmed later. At St Laurence’s, during recent Confirmations, people from 11 to 80 have been confirmed. As long as you are older than 11, you can be confirmed. Recently, far more adults have come for confirmation, so you probably will not be the only grown up.
What is confirmation?
Confirmation is where people confirm the promises made on their behalf at Baptism, and where the Bishop confirms these promises. You then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and become a full member of the Christian Church.
Do I have to stand up in front of everyone?
Yes, but you will be in a group of at least ten. We will take you through the service.
Can I receive Communion when I’m confirmed?
After Confirmation you become a full member of the Christian family and you are welcome to receive Communion.
What Promises were made at my Baptism?
Some people are babies when they are baptized, and others are very young children. During the Baptism service, a series of promises is made on the child’s behalf by the parents and godparents. They promise, three times, to turn away from everything evil and embrace everything good. These promises have been unchanged for nearly 2000 years.
They are:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion
against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and
corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate
us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way,
the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.
At Baptism your parents and godparents made the profession of the Christian faith on your behalf. At Confirmation you also confirm that you believe this faith.
The profession of faith is known as the Apostles’ Creed and has been unchanged for nearly 2000 years.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
All I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
All I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand
of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
All I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does it mean?
It would be impossible to explain in a short leaflet. To help you to make up your own mind about Confirmation, we ask you to complete a short preparation course. This is between 3-6 sessions in length, and is usually done in a small group. We do run Introduction to Christianity courses, such as ‘Foundation Stones’, at St Laurence’s. Some people choose such courses as their confirmation preparation, after discussion with the clergy.
I’m not baptized. What should I do?
If you were not baptized as a child, you can be baptized as an adult. This can be done as part of the Confirmation service, or at another service prior to Confirmation.
How do I know that I am ready for Confirmation?
Everyone who wants to be confirmed is welcome. The preparation is there to help you decide. Jesus gives us Confirmation as a gift, not as a reward for being good. Jesus asks everyone to follow him. It is for you to decide whether you will accept his invitation.
Will I understand the content of the course?
Confirmation is a big commitment, but that doesn’t mean that the preparation has to be difficult. We try to make our courses enjoyable, understandable and worthwhile.
My friend is already confirmed, can she come do the preparation with me?
Anyone is welcome to come to the preparation with you. We encourage anyone who lives in the parish, and who is interested, to come along. If you do not live in the parish, have a word with the clergy.
I was brought up in another Church can I be confirmed?
Different Churches have slightly different ways of doing things, so check with the clergy.
What can I do to begin?
A good place to start is with prayer. On this website, there is a leaflet called, "How to Start Praying", that could be helpful to you. The website www.rejesus.co.uk has information on Christianity, as does St. Laurence's Parish Library. You are welcome to borrow books and materials from the wide range that the Library holds .
If you have any other questions or would like to talk further, please contact one of the clergy.
John Cree Hywel Snook
john.cree@Tiscali.co.uk hywelsnook@blueyonder.co.uk
263114 274170