Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17
Confirmation The sacrament of Confirmation gives older teens and adults the opportunity to make a mature confession of faith in the God made known in Jesus Christ. Preparation includes meeting together to learn about God, faith, and the church. For adults, these rites are truly sacramental . . . an outward and visible sign of a spiritual renewal. There is an assumption that those who present themselves are experiencing significant spiritual growth and want to respond to the movement of the Spirit within them in a concrete and public way.
Some adults want to learn about the Church before they become involved in community life, while others get involved and then desire a way to formalize their relationship to the Church and God. This should be an ongoing process; every congregation should have a means for all adults to continue in their journey of faith formation.
Sponsors should also be available to adults who are seeking to re-affirm their Baptismal Covenant. The role of these sponsors is to be a companion - one who accompanies the newly committed or renewed on their journey of growth and nurture of their faith. Regular attendance at worship, participation in the life and mission of the community and study should be expected of all candidates. A discussion of what ministries they feel called to as they grow in their faith is essential for how they live their life of faith in the church and in the world: at home, work, and community.
All adults need encouragement and support through this journey. The community of Christian believers is a place for learning through shared journeys. Confirmation, Reception and Re-Affirmation invites participants to make a personal commitment to nurture and practice their faith in daily life.
Reception Persons presented for Reception are those who have been baptized with water in the name of the Trinity, have previously made an adult public affirmation of faith in any other Christian Communion (either at their Baptism or on a separate occasion) and now desire to live their faith within the fellowship of the Episcopal Church. Preparation for reception should include how one practices the faith in the Anglican Communion and how we as Episcopalians live out our Christian mission in community. Reaffirmation Reaffirmation is suitable in a variety of situations for baptized people who had previously made a mature decision about their faith, and then later left the church or fallen away from active faith, and now wish to express their revived commitment to the covenant of their Baptism; baptized people who have already made a mature public declaration of faith, and are now experiencing a call from God toward a new growth in faith, commitment, or service, may respond to and affirm that call before the Bishop and the community of faith. Reaffirmation is a repeatable rite and should be used after appropriate preparation and with sensitive pastoral discernment.
Components for Preparation
•Scripture •The Book of Common Prayer •Service & the Life of the Baptized •Mission & Community •Prayer •Faith & Practice - to include participation in worship, stewardship, Christian ethics, moral decision making and theological reflection •Episcopal polity
Adults interested in preparing for Confirmation, Reception of Reaffirmation should contact the church office.