Confirmations
Congratulations on wanting to explore confirmation with the Church of England. Confirmation can be an important part of a lifetime journey of faith as a follower of Jesus Christ​
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is a special Church service in which a person confirms the promises that were made when they were baptized. If you were baptized at a christening when you were a child, your parents and godparents made these promises on your behalf. As a young person or adult, you may be ready to affirm these promises for yourself and commit your life to following Jesus Christ. At a confirmation service, you make these promises for yourself. Your friends and family as well as the local Christian community will be there to promise to support and pray for you.
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The local Bishop will lay their hands on your head and ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you the strength and commitment to live God’s way for the rest of your life
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What Happens During the Service?
Confirmation usually takes place in a special service in your own church, at the cathedral 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
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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.
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Will I Take Holy Communion When Confirmed?
Sometimes a service of Holy Communion will follow a confirmation, either on the same day or on the next Sunday. For some people this will be the first time they share in bread and wine. Some may have received Holy Communion before; it depends on the approach of their usual church.
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What Is The Right Age For Confirmation?
There is no right age for a person to be confirmed. Anyone may be confirmed who has been baptized and if they are old enough to answer responsibly for themselves. In some areas of the country, the local bishop sets a minimum age for confirmation. If this is the case, your vicar will be able to tell you what the minimum age is. As a general rule, anyone who is over 10 years old and can answer for themselves could be ready for confirmation, but the right time for you might be at any age – you could be in your teens or in your nineties!
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What If I Wasn't Baptised As A Child?
You will need to be baptized before you are confirmed. If you were not baptized as a child and want to make a commitment of faith, you can be baptized and confirmed in the same service, or baptized at a separate service shortly before your confirmation. You should discuss this with your vicar.
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How Much Does It Cost?
A confirmation service is free, though there may be a small charge for a certificate. Ask your vicar for details.
This text is copied from the Church of England website `About Confirmation` page
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https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/confirmations/confirmation-faqs