Confirmation

Older Children and adults can make a public lasting decision to be a follower of Jesus’ teaching throughout their lives.

Often baptism is about others promising things for a child in which case confirmation is the next stage, where the individual works through the important elements of our faith beforehand and makes a decision for themselves to be a Christian.
The moment is obviously important and a bishop confirms the individual, as has happened for thousands of years.
The group is not just open to confirmation candidates, but anyone who would like to renew their thinking about the Christian Faith. The course is called ‘Essential Christianity’.

To be confirmed you need to have been baptised first – which can happen at the same event.

We are a church which welcomes many from different denominations, nationalities and cultures so there is no easy single identification of Christian engagement other than being part of a church family and enjoying worship with us. So we normally welcome all those who have been baptised, or who would normally receive communion in their own church, to receive communion with us

What happens during the service?

The confirmation usually takes place in your own church, or in another parish church. Although it may take place during the main Sunday service at your own church.  There will be hymns, readings and sometimes those being confirmed talk about their faith.  After the Bishop has laid hands on each person’s head there will be special prayers – then there will be often some celebratory refreshments to follow!

There may be a rehearsal before the confirmation service so that you understand everything that happens in the service

Will I need Godparents?

At a christening, godparents stand alongside the parents to make promises on behalf of the child being baptized. At confirmation, there are no godparents because you make the promises for yourself, but you may be asked if you would like a sponsor to stand with you as a supporting friend in your journey of faith. Usually this is someone who has previously been confirmed. It may be one of the people who has prepared you for confirmation, or it may be a youth worker, a good friend, a relative, or a godparent.

How much does it cost?

It is free. Confirmation has been free for 2000 years, and we are not charging now! Donations to the work of the Chaplaincy and the charities it supports, are always welcome though.

Reverend Dr. Tony Carroll

Reverend Dr. Tony Carroll

Reverend

I joined the Church of England in 2013, whilst working at Heythrop and served my curacy at the parish of St Mary and St Eanswythe with St Saviour in Folkestone, where I was married in 2015. Following the closure of Heythrop in 2018, I took up a new position teaching theology and organizing social and pastoral and placements for students at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, which trains women and men for ordained ministry.

The baptism and testing of Jesus

Mark 1:9-11
Bible Gateway

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’