Welcome to Confirmation!
Welcome to our digital course on the basics “why’s” of the Christian life and faith. Whether you are a young person in confirmation class, a visitor, new member, or lifelong Episcopalian, we hope this is a space for you to learn, reflect, and grow. This online class is a chance for you to get a glimpse of what it means to be a Christian, Episcopalian, and a member of St. John’s. If you would like to be confirmed, baptized, or received into the Episcopal Church, please contact a member of the clergy.
Each of these pages is structured as one unit of a seven-part class. You’ll listen to a podcast and read a short description, and then be given a chance to reflect on certain questions. For our confirmands, there will be a link to a short quiz and a place for them to submit their reflections. Furthermore, we’ll suggest some additional resources after each episode.
Let’s get started with an introduction to what confirmation is. Read on, or listen to our conversation on Anchor Podcasts, Apple, or Spotify
INTRODUCTION
What is confirmation? It begins with catechesis, or learning the central things of the faith. Many christians learned the commandments, Lord’s Prayer, or even memorized a whole Catechism, as the 1552 intended new believers to do. Nowadays, we take confirmation class, go on retreats, and listen to podcasts! It continues with a religious ceremony of initiation; where we confirm the person’s choice to be a follower of Christ. This happens in the context of the Baptismal liturgy; a Bishop lays hands, calling the Holy Spirit down upon the person and the confirmand makes their own vows to be a Christian. We teach (catechize) to get people ready to make these vows in a mature way, as they are a serious commitment!
Our catechism in the Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP) says the following about Confirmation:
Q. What is Confirmation?
A. Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.Q. What is required of those to be confirmed?
A. It is required of those to be confirmed that they have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (BCP 860)
In order to be confirmed, we will make sure you’ve been baptized, walk through the Faith, talk about penitence and reconciliation, and ask if you are ready to make that mature declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. We want to make sure you are willing to take responsibility— both for your mistakes, as well as your beliefs.
Confirmation is also an echoing, a deepening of our Baptismal vows. The full Baptismal and confirmation rite begins on page 299 of the BCP, with the portion specific to confirmation on p. 309. Acts 8 tells the story of Peter and John laying hands on those who had been baptized, and giving them the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As the church evolved, Baptism and Confirmation have been merged and separated in the rites several times; but now, we see it as described above— as that mature statement of faith.
To learn about that faith and to get ready to make that profession, we’ll have six more episodes and ask three Big questions:
Why Christianity/Why be a Christian? (Episodes 2 and 3)
Why the Episcopal Church? (Episodes 4 and 5)
Why be a member of St. Johns? (Episodes 6 and 7)
That’s confirmation— we are so glad you are listening and we hope asking these questions and having these conversations helps you in your faith journey— whether you’re in confirmation, listening along as a member, or if you’ve found us online and are learning more about us. We’re glad you’re here. Please feel free to reach out Fr. Chris and Fr. Ben with any questions or to schedule a pastoral visit or conversation!
GO DEEPER
To get started with the materials for confirmation, we recommend reading the Book of Common Prayer’s Catechism, on pages 845-862 or available here.