Confirmation
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). Those who were baptized at an early age and those baptized as adults without laying on of hands by a bishop are expected to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop (BCP, p. 412).
Adults baptized with the laying on of hands by a bishop are considered to be confirmed.
Confirmations occur during episcopal visits to a faith community. If you are interested in confirmation, please enter into that conversation with your clergy-in-charge.
To learn more or if you have questions:
Please contact Derek Moyer at [email protected].
Resources for Confirmation
I Will, with God’s Help, Mary Lee Wile. This series has separate curricula for youth and adults, including facilitator guides and step-by-step resources for a confirmation course for both youth and adults.
My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church, by Jennifer Gamber. (Available in Spanish)
Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church, by Gamber and Lewellis. (Available in Spanish)
Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices, by Gunn and Shobe. (Available in Spanish)
Reception
Baptized persons who have been members of another Christian fellowship and who wish to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church may make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism in the presence of a bishop. The bishop lays hands on each candidate for reception and says, “We recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion” (BCP, p. 418).
Reception into the Episcopal Church is available to any adults who:
- are baptized and who have been confirmed by bishops of churches in historic succession; or
- are baptized and previously made a mature public commitment in another church may be received or confirmed
Reaffirmation
Reaffirmation is designed for a confirmed Episcopalian who, for personal reasons, wishes to publicly reaffirm their baptismal vows to the bishop and their faith community. Reaffirmations traditionally occur with confirmations during an episcopal visitation.
Reaffirmation is available to either:
- adults who wish to reaffirm their commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; or
- adults baptized when the bishop was not present