Being Confirmed

People who have been baptised may be confirmed provided they are old enough to renew for themselves the promises made for them at their baptism by their parents and godparents. It is usual for people only to be admitted to Holy Communion once they have made that affirmation of faith and received Confirmation.

If you begin to feel you want to be received into the Church, discuss it with the vicar or one of the parish clergy. The parish runs informal courses for its confirmation candidates, one for adults and one for young people.

Confirmation usually takes place at a service of Holy Communion at which the bishop presides. He will use the opportunity of the sermon to talk to the candidates about the responsibilities of adult Christian life and they will then make their public profession of faith. Any unbaptised candidates are baptised and the bishop prays that the Holy Spirit will come upon those who are to be confirmed. They kneel before the bishop, who lays his hands on the head of each, saying:

'Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit.'

Or he might use this longer prayer:

'Defend, O Lord, this thy servant with thy heavenly grace, that (s)he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until (s)he comes unto thine everlasting kingdom.'

The service continues with a celebration of the Holy Communion, where the newly-confirmed join in receiving the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Have you been Baptised?

Many people were baptised (christened) as a baby but have had little contact with the Church since. Baptism is, nevertheless, permanent and cannot be cancelled or repeated. So, if you were baptised as a baby, in whatever church that took place, you are still baptised and you cannot be baptised again.

Some people do not know whether they have been baptised or not. It is important to find out from parents or older relatives and to discover where it took place, because you may need to obtain a baptismal certificate.

If you have not been baptised, it will probably be suggested that you be prepared for baptism and confirmation at the same time. Normally you will then be baptised at the same service in which you are confirmed.

You will be asked to make the promises of baptism, repenting of your sins and turning to Christ. You must declare before God that you accept the Christian faith. Baptism takes place at the font, where water will be poured over your head. The priest who baptises you will call you by your name and then use the words based on Holy Scripture:

'I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' .

From Another Denomination?

If you are a Christian from another denomination and feel drawn towards joining the Church of England, the way this is done will depend partly on your present denomination. Please discuss this with the clergy.