We are delighted that you would like to think some more about this important step in your Christian life and faith. Confirmation is a special church service in which a person confirms the promises that were made when they were Christened during a service of Baptism. If you were Christened when you were a child, your parents and godparents made promises on your behalf and hopefully as you grew up you began to accept these promises to become a follower of Jesus.

At a confirmation service, you make the same promises for yourself.

The Bishop who always leads the service, will lay his/her 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. Your friends and family as well as the local Christian community will be there to promise to support and pray for you.

There is no ‘right’ age to be Confirmed, but most will say that under the age of 10 maybe too young. It depends on you being able to say yes I want to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to be able to make the promises on your own. When you were Christened as a baby or very young child, others spoke for you, and you probably had no choice. Other people decided for you. But now you are older, and you’ve had time to think about it, you decide for yourself.

Following a short course of preparation, the service will take place at St Mary’s or another local Parish Church or even at the Cathedral in St Albans. Wherever the service takes place it will stay a part of your life as the day you said out loud in public that you have decided to follow Jesus.

Being a follower of Jesus means that you are a part of the Church, and you can share with others in taking Holy Communion – the bread and the wine that has been blessed during the service. You can also become involved in the running of the church such as being a Parochial Church Councillor and working with the Rector in the mission of the church here at St Mary’s.

If you haven’t been Christened or Baptised then this will happen either at the Confirmation service by the Bishop, or a service in the weeks before by the Rector.

We are delighted that you want to be Confirmed and look forward to hearing from you. Come along to church and speak to the Rector, or contact the Parish Office on 01462 743922 or email on office@stmarysashwell.org.uk