Confirmation

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is a public, mature affirmation of your baptism, and a commitment to Christ. It gives the opportunity for any mature Christian – whether baptized as an infant, child or adult – to make a public confession and commitment of faith and to renew their baptismal vows. In this sacrament, a bishop lays hands on your head in a public ceremony as a symbol of support for your spiritual journey, and the bishop calls upon the Holy Spirit to be present and to strengthen you.

When can I be confirmed at St. Martin’s?

Confirmation is an Episcopal service – it requires that a bishop be present. Because of our bishop’s schedule, St. Martin’s typically has confirmation once a year because our diocesan bishop typically visits our church once each year.

What age can someone be confirmed?

Whenever a teenager or adult is ready to make a mature decision and mature statement of faith, they can be confirmed. Teens should explore this with our interim rector, the Rev. Alan Bentrup, and with their parents or guardians.

I would like to be confirmed. How do I go about doing this?

Confirmation requires a period of study. Classes cover topics like the Bible, Episcopal worship, church history and church traditions, sacraments, and Christian ministry. These classes will equip you to make a decision regarding confirmation and your mature confession of faith. We will announce when classes are starting.

I was confirmed in another Christian denomination. Do I need to be “re-confirmed?”

If you have been confirmed in either the Roman Catholic Church or Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), or any church in the Orthodox tradition, you may be “received” by the bishop instead of being confirmed. The Episcopal Church recognizes that the apostolic succession of bishops in these churches, dating back to the time of the apostles. You will need to go through confirmation preparation classes.

If you were confirmed in any other Christian denomination, our Episcopal bishop will confirm you.

If you’ve been baptized and confirmed, and feel drawn to make a public reaffirmation of your faith, our bishop will lay hands on you and reaffirm that.

Confirmation and the Church

Confirmation expresses not only a desire to live as an adult Christian, it also indicates a desire to do so in The Episcopal Church. One form of service is church leadership. Elected governance positions at our church (such as Vestry, delegate to diocesan Convention), elected governance positions in our diocese (such as member of Executive Council, member of the Standing Committee, trustees, deputy to General Convention), and appointed diocesan positions (such as members of commission, committees, commissions, agencies or boards) require that a nominee be confirmed.

ConfirmationReceptionReaffirmation: Which is right for you?

Confirmation is a mature, public affirmation of your faith, celebrated by the prayers and laying on of hands by our bishop. It is a celebration of your baptism and your desire to live out your faith. If you were baptized as a child (in any denomination) but were never confirmed, this rite is for you.

 
Reception is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in a Christian denomination that has a ritual of confirmation (such as Methodists, Catholics or Lutherans) who wish to join the Episcopal Church.
 
Reaffirmation of faith is for those who have been baptized and confirmed, but seek to publicly renew and reaffirm their faith in the community at St. Martin’s.
 
If you are interested in confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation, please fill out the form below

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is a public, mature affirmation of your baptism, and a commitment to Christ. It gives the opportunity for any mature Christian – whether baptized as an infant, child or adult – to make a public confession and commitment of faith and to renew their baptismal vows. In this sacrament, a bishop lays hands on your head in a public ceremony as a symbol of support for your spiritual journey, and the bishop calls upon the Holy Spirit to be present and to strengthen you.

When can I be confirmed at St. Martin’s?

Confirmation is an Episcopal service – it requires that a bishop be present. Because of our bishop’s schedule, St. Martin’s typically has confirmation once a year because our diocesan bishop typically visits our church once each year.

What age can someone be confirmed?

Whenever a teenager or adult is ready to make a mature decision and mature statement of faith, they can be confirmed. Teens should explore this with our interim rector, the Rev. Alan Bentrup, and with their parents or guardians.

I would like to be confirmed. How do I go about doing this?

Confirmation requires a period of study. Classes cover topics like the Bible, Episcopal worship, church history and church traditions, sacraments, and Christian ministry. These classes will equip you to make a decision regarding confirmation and your mature confession of faith. We will announce when classes are starting.

I was confirmed in another Christian denomination. Do I need to be “re-confirmed?”

If you have been confirmed in either the Roman Catholic Church or Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), or any church in the Orthodox tradition, you may be “received” by the bishop instead of being confirmed. The Episcopal Church recognizes that the apostolic succession of bishops in these churches, dating back to the time of the apostles. You will need to go through confirmation preparation classes.

If you were confirmed in any other Christian denomination, our Episcopal bishop will confirm you.

If you’ve been baptized and confirmed, and feel drawn to make a public reaffirmation of your faith, our bishop will lay hands on you and reaffirm that.

Confirmation and the Church

Confirmation expresses not only a desire to live as an adult Christian, it also indicates a desire to do so in The Episcopal Church. One form of service is church leadership. Elected governance positions at our church (such as Vestry, delegate to diocesan Convention), elected governance positions in our diocese (such as member of Executive Council, member of the Standing Committee, trustees, deputy to General Convention), and appointed diocesan positions (such as members of commission, committees, commissions, agencies or boards) require that a nominee be confirmed.

ConfirmationReceptionReaffirmation: Which is right for you?

Confirmation is a mature, public affirmation of your faith, celebrated by the prayers and laying on of hands by our bishop. It is a celebration of your baptism and your desire to live out your faith. If you were baptized as a child (in any denomination) but were never confirmed, this rite is for you.

 
Reception is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in a Christian denomination that has a ritual of confirmation (such as Methodists, Catholics or Lutherans) who wish to join the Episcopal Church.
 
Reaffirmation of faith is for those who have been baptized and confirmed, but seek to publicly renew and reaffirm their faith in the community at St. Martin’s.
 
If you are interested in confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation, please fill out the form below