Thurstable and Winstree Team Ministry

serving the parishes of Tiptree with Tolleshunt Knights and Great Braxted, Copford, Easthorpe, Messing, Inworth,
Layer de la Haye, Layer Breton with Birch, and Layer Marney

The 'Layer' Parishes: Layer de la Haye • Layer Breton with Birch • Layer Marney

Confirmation
- a personal commitment to follow Jesus

What Is Confirmation?

Confirmation has been described as the ministry by which, through prayer with the laying on of hands by the Bishop, the Holy Spirit is received to complete what he began in Baptism, and to give strength for the Christian life.

It is an important stage in the Christian's journey of faith. It is the step of commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to lead one's life in his service. At the start of his ministry Jesus called the disciples to follow him. Confirmation is the step people take today to show they have accepted that call to be disciples in our own time. At Confirmation the candidate makes for him or herself the promises which were made on his/her behalf by the Godparents at Baptism and becomes a full member of the Church.

Becoming a full member of the Church brings with it both privileges and responsibilities. A most important part of the Christian life is joining in worship with other members of the Christian family, and receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion. Just as our bodies need regular food to keep healthy and strong, so we need to regularly feed, by faith, on Jesus to maintain our spiritual health and strength. Living the Christian life is demanding. Our worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, prepares and strengthens us for putting our Christian faith into practice in the week ahead. Worship and work are linked together, as in the prayer we often use at the end of the Holy Communion service:

Send us out
in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory.
Amen

Preparation for Confirmation

It is the long-standing practice of the Church that candidates attend preparation classes before being presented for Confirmation. The aim of these is to give participants the opportunity to learn more about the Christian faith, to explore what it means to be a Christian, and to prepare for Confirmation.

Attending confirmation classes does not commit anyone to going forward for confirmation. That is a decision for each individual nearer the time and no one is expected to be confirmed until they feel ready to take this important step in the Christian journey. So even if you are undecided but would like to learn more about Christian faith and commitment, please do ask about a class to suit you. It is not unusual for adults to be confirmed and there are various informal and interactive preparatory workshops designed to meet the needs of different age groups.

If you would like to know more please contact the Team Rector, Anne-Marie.


Page updated: 14 Mar 2024 at 17:53