Starting the JourneyChristian Education and Formation is a journey. Confirmation can be part of that journey, but it's not a destination.
This is about formation more than information. We are inviting you to grow in Christ and lay claim to the implications of your baptism anew from the Episcopal theological point of view—not make you an expert in Episco-trivia! There will be experiential opportunities as well as didactic learning. Respect that all learn in different manners. This is an invitation not a requirement. Confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation is not needed for most ministries in the Episcopal Church. |
Topics for this Section
Registration & Introduction • A Group Covenant • What the process looks like • Choosing your Sponsor • Writing a spiritual autobiography.
What is Confirmation?
The Episcopal Church Canon I.17(c), “It is expected that all adult members of this Church, after appropriate instruction, will have made a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and will have been confirmed or received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church or by a Bishop of a Church in communion with this Church. Those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another Church may be received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church, rather than confirmed.” …
What does this mean?
1. Confirmation
Confirmation is intended for those who have been baptized in this or any church but who have not made a mature affirmation of their faith. Those seeking confirmation now desire to “confirm” their earlier baptism and commit to the Christian life within the fellowship of the Episcopal Church. It is appropriate for those baptized as infants or children but who have not yet made an adult 8 affirmation of their faith. It may be appropriate for those who were baptized as adults in another church but who have not yet had hands laid on them by a bishop of this Church.
2. Reception
a. Those who have received the laying on of hands at confirmation by a Bishop in apostolic succession are considered confirmed and may, therefore, be received by a Bishop in this church. This would include Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians as well as those who had been members of a church in communion with this Church (e.g., ELCA).
b. Those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another Church (e.g., adult baptism and/or confirmation by a pastor or bishop not in apostolic succession) may also choose to be received by the Bishop rather than confirmed.
3. Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows
Those who were baptized as adults in this Church but have not yet had hands laid on them by the bishop are invited to reaffirm their baptismal vows. In addition, any Episcopalian who wishes to make a marked change in their life and go through the formation process may be a candidate for this rite.
Assignment
Open your Book of Common Prayer and read pp. 412-419. Find it online here (under "Pastoral Offices").
What strikes you as you read it? Are there any surprises?
What does this mean?
1. Confirmation
Confirmation is intended for those who have been baptized in this or any church but who have not made a mature affirmation of their faith. Those seeking confirmation now desire to “confirm” their earlier baptism and commit to the Christian life within the fellowship of the Episcopal Church. It is appropriate for those baptized as infants or children but who have not yet made an adult 8 affirmation of their faith. It may be appropriate for those who were baptized as adults in another church but who have not yet had hands laid on them by a bishop of this Church.
2. Reception
a. Those who have received the laying on of hands at confirmation by a Bishop in apostolic succession are considered confirmed and may, therefore, be received by a Bishop in this church. This would include Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians as well as those who had been members of a church in communion with this Church (e.g., ELCA).
b. Those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another Church (e.g., adult baptism and/or confirmation by a pastor or bishop not in apostolic succession) may also choose to be received by the Bishop rather than confirmed.
3. Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows
Those who were baptized as adults in this Church but have not yet had hands laid on them by the bishop are invited to reaffirm their baptismal vows. In addition, any Episcopalian who wishes to make a marked change in their life and go through the formation process may be a candidate for this rite.
Assignment
Open your Book of Common Prayer and read pp. 412-419. Find it online here (under "Pastoral Offices").
What strikes you as you read it? Are there any surprises?
Choosing a Sponsor
Assignment
Recruit your sponsor or sponsors.
Your sponsor can live near you or live far away, it can be a man or woman, clergy or lay, old or younger, but it should be someone who has been Confirmed in the Episcopal Church and is an active member of an Episcopal church.
How do you choose your sponsor?
Read The Importance of Mentors by Sharon Ely Pearson
One you have someone in mind, let your rector know who that person is. The rector will need to make sure the person meets all the qualifications
Click here for a check-list of the qualifications of a mentor
Once the mentor is approved, he or she will need to discern if this new ministry is something he or she wants to take on.
Click here for a discernment process.
More info on Sponsors
Recruit your sponsor or sponsors.
Your sponsor can live near you or live far away, it can be a man or woman, clergy or lay, old or younger, but it should be someone who has been Confirmed in the Episcopal Church and is an active member of an Episcopal church.
How do you choose your sponsor?
Read The Importance of Mentors by Sharon Ely Pearson
One you have someone in mind, let your rector know who that person is. The rector will need to make sure the person meets all the qualifications
Click here for a check-list of the qualifications of a mentor
Once the mentor is approved, he or she will need to discern if this new ministry is something he or she wants to take on.
Click here for a discernment process.
More info on Sponsors
Writing a Spiritual Autobiography
1. A spiritual autobiography is your life story—the telling of your journey with the purpose of discerning and proclaiming how your experiences have shaped your relationship with God. This may contain both people and times within the religious community and everyday people and times in your life that have influenced who you are now and how you understand God in your life. The autobiography deepens your understanding of Christian life and ministry.
2. We live in multiple words (intellect, family, religious, play, and our physical body)
a. Who are the important people in your worlds?
b. What are the important concerns or questions that are central to the worlds in which you live?
c. What events do you remember? d. What stands out for you during the different stages of your life?
3. Notice who you have been and who you are now. A spiritual autobiography should reflect the answers to theological concerns about the presence or absence of God, or the experience of grace, forgiveness, and repentance among other questions.
a. How was/is your life impacted by your various worlds?
b. How has your faith sustained you through your life?
c. When or how do/did you experience the presence of God? d. What would you consider grace in various periods of your life?
4. By virtue of your baptism you were called to ministry, guided and perhaps pushed by your personal gifts, skills, experiences, and the Holy Spirit. When you finish writing this spiritual autobiography, you will share and discuss it with your Sponsor. By sharing our stories we know we are not alone in God’s world, that we can learn, and that we can receive support.
2. We live in multiple words (intellect, family, religious, play, and our physical body)
a. Who are the important people in your worlds?
b. What are the important concerns or questions that are central to the worlds in which you live?
c. What events do you remember? d. What stands out for you during the different stages of your life?
3. Notice who you have been and who you are now. A spiritual autobiography should reflect the answers to theological concerns about the presence or absence of God, or the experience of grace, forgiveness, and repentance among other questions.
a. How was/is your life impacted by your various worlds?
b. How has your faith sustained you through your life?
c. When or how do/did you experience the presence of God? d. What would you consider grace in various periods of your life?
4. By virtue of your baptism you were called to ministry, guided and perhaps pushed by your personal gifts, skills, experiences, and the Holy Spirit. When you finish writing this spiritual autobiography, you will share and discuss it with your Sponsor. By sharing our stories we know we are not alone in God’s world, that we can learn, and that we can receive support.
Assignment
Write your own Spiritual Autobiography and share it with your Sponsor
Write your own Spiritual Autobiography and share it with your Sponsor
What is most essential during this process as you deepen your understanding of your baptism is for you to grow in your relationship with God and thus be equipped to grow in your relationship with others. As you work on your Spiritual biography, you should spend time listening to what God might reveal to you about your journey. Thus, you are encouraged to start today with a habit of spending five minutes in silence, being aware of God’s presence and attentive to the Spirit’s stirrings, as you seek to understand your own story anew.
Spiritual Practices
Assignment
Practice the St. Ignatian Examen.
Practice the St. Ignatian Examen.
St. Ignatian Examen
The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience. (from Ignatian Spirituality)
For more information, click here
For a printout of the practice, click here
The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience. (from Ignatian Spirituality)
For more information, click here
For a printout of the practice, click here
More Information
What is a Covenant?
A binding agreement that is freely entered into by two or more parties. The parties to this solemn agreement may be individuals or groups of people. They may be of equal or unequal status. A covenant also typically includes terms, oaths, and a ritual enactment (possibly a sacrifice, a meal, an exchange, or even a handshake). A covenant with God is a relationship initiated by God for salvation and responded to in faith. The old covenant was given by God to the Hebrew people. The story of this covenant is revealed in the OT (see BCP, pp. 846-847). It was by covenant that the Hebrew people entered into special relationship with God and became the people of God. (definition found here)
A binding agreement that is freely entered into by two or more parties. The parties to this solemn agreement may be individuals or groups of people. They may be of equal or unequal status. A covenant also typically includes terms, oaths, and a ritual enactment (possibly a sacrifice, a meal, an exchange, or even a handshake). A covenant with God is a relationship initiated by God for salvation and responded to in faith. The old covenant was given by God to the Hebrew people. The story of this covenant is revealed in the OT (see BCP, pp. 846-847). It was by covenant that the Hebrew people entered into special relationship with God and became the people of God. (definition found here)
What is Baptism?
This is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God (BCP, pp. 298, 858). In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates. During the baptismal rite the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant. The water of baptism may be administered by immersion or affusin (pouring) (BCP, p. 307). Candidates are baptized "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Chrism may be used for this marking. The newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." When all baptisms have been completed, the celebrant and congregation welcome the newly administered within the eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast. The Catechism notes that "Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redeption by God." The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents or sponsors, "who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (BCP, pp. 858-859). Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saint's Day or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). (definition found here)
This is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God (BCP, pp. 298, 858). In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates. During the baptismal rite the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant. The water of baptism may be administered by immersion or affusin (pouring) (BCP, p. 307). Candidates are baptized "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Chrism may be used for this marking. The newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." When all baptisms have been completed, the celebrant and congregation welcome the newly administered within the eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast. The Catechism notes that "Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redeption by God." The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents or sponsors, "who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (BCP, pp. 858-859). Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saint's Day or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). (definition found here)
For Further Study
The Roots of Baptism and Confirmation (from Building Faith - Episcopal)
Saving a Sacrament – The Future of Confirmation (from Building Faith - Episcopal)
Father Matthew Present Confirmation Class (a light-hearted video)
Start the Conversation: Confirmation (resources on Confirmation from Church Publishing)
The Confirmation Project (website with research information and resources on Confirmation history)
Saving a Sacrament – The Future of Confirmation (from Building Faith - Episcopal)
Father Matthew Present Confirmation Class (a light-hearted video)
Start the Conversation: Confirmation (resources on Confirmation from Church Publishing)
The Confirmation Project (website with research information and resources on Confirmation history)