Confirmation Class

Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the candidates "express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop" (BCP, p. 860). Six young people will receive laying on of hands by The Right Reverend Gayle Harris.  Emily Cronin, Annie Fuller, Eddie Fuller, Will Groves, Brian Tortora and Michelle Tortora will each make a mature public affirmation of their faith amd recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism (BCP, p. 412).

There were three key components of our Epiphany confirmation program:
1)  Book of Common Prayer - Catechism, Worship, Church History.
2)  Bible - History, Construction, Interpretation, Bible Study.
3)  Community Service - 2 hours of community service were required per month. In the weeks to come you will learn of their community service projects.

The Episcopal Church's theology of Confirmation has continued to evolve along with its understanding of baptism. Confirmation is no longer seen as the completion of Christian initiation, nor is Confirmation a prerequisite for receiving communion. Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's body the church (BCP, p. 298). Accordingly, Confirmation has been increasingly understood in terms of a mature, public reaffirmation of the Christian faith and the baptismal promises.

Confirmation was celebrated on Saturday, April 29 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Church, 79 Denton Road, Wellesley, MA 02482.  The next day, April 30th, we honored their commitment to Christ Jesus and the church at our 10 am Sunday service.  As a parish you should feel proud of the work they have done to wrestle with their commitment.  I, as their teacher, am proud to present them to the Bishop for this sacred rite.  

Fr. Alan