This Fall, I am planning to offer a confirmation class for those older children and teenagers who wish to be confirmed by the bishop when he visits us next, hopefully, in 2022. What exactly is confirmation? Confirmation is a special sacramental moment when a baptized person expresses “a mature commitment to Christ” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 860). In the case of those who were baptized as infants or children, confirmation represents the choice of an individual to take upon themselves the promises that were made for them and held in trust by their parents and godparents at baptism. Confirmation also imparts a special “strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.” This strength is for living out the baptismal promises and following Jesus as an adult or young adult. In this sense, also, confirmation is a sort of rite of passage for many. At Holy Apostles, our traditional pattern is that older children and youth (say between the ages of 12 and 16) undergo a period of preparation for confirmation. It is one of my favorite jobs as Rector to come alongside students and walk with them on this leg of their faith journey. But, confirmation isn’t just for young people. Adults who have never had this experience are also invited to seek confirmation.
Confirmation class is FUN. Our age-appropriate preparation will be a rollicking good time as we range through a variety of topics from Scripture to Christian history, theology, and ethics. We’ll pay special attention to the baptismal covenant, and even take a peek at the catechism which is at the end of the Book of Common Prayer. Questions are encouraged and doubts are honored.
Keeping an eye on COVID restrictions as cases begin to rise again in our area and doing our best to work with family schedules, we will plan regular meetings of the confirmation class beginning in mid-September. If you or a family member is interested in joining us, let me know by filling out this Google form. This isn’t a commitment, just a way for me to find out who is interested. And, of course, if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. If you are an adult and are interested in confirmation, let me know as well. You may want to join in the all the fun that our young people will have in confirmation class, but if not, I am happy to work with you individually to prepare for this important way station on the Christian journey.
Church of the Holy Apostles 