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Original poster

Anybody been confirmed recently? What actually happens?

14 replies

Niecie · 25/02/2008 13:48

I am going to be confirmed in May and don't start the confirmation course until April. I haven't been to a confirmation service so have no idea what I have let myself in for!

I assume that I will get to take communion and receive a blessing but other than that, not a clue! Don't know about the course yet either.

Anybody had any experience of adult confirmation recently?

OP posts:

Bunch · 25/02/2008 14:09

Got confirmed when I was about 13 but still remember it well. If it works the same way as an adult then basically it's all about you taking on the bits that were said at your christening by your godparents. Does that make sense? So you just have to say a few lines along the line of 'I do' and then you have a blessing said over you. That help?

AMumInScotland · 25/02/2008 14:09

Is this C of E? Mine was a while back now, but they probably haven't changed that much. It starts off a bit like a baptism, with a version of the creed, and you making the same sorts of promises as the parents and godparents do. Then you'll kneel in front of the bishop and he puts his hands on your head and calls down the holy spirit on you... it doesn't hurt .

After you've all beeen done, it'll probably carry on into a communion service.

Oh, and you might find some of the participants are also getting baptised, if so, that'll be done before the confirmation part. They don't usually just baptise adults, they expect them to do both together, as the point of the confirmation is to let you confirm the promises that were made for you at baptism.

Original poster

Niecie · 25/02/2008 14:13

Yes, thanks.

I was hoping there wasn't a big speaking part! Been to loads of baptisms so that sounds OK.

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Original poster

Niecie · 25/02/2008 14:18

Yes, sorry, meant to say it is C of E.

You say it doesn't hurt but somebody was telling me that she felt overcome by the Holy Spirit and burst in to tears when the Bishop did the blessing. She was 'done' with several others including her husband and they all looked at her like she was slightly mad! That has left me slightly spooked - not sure I want to be a gibbering wreck in front of the whole congregation! I am sure they would be happy to think the HS had visited though!

OP posts:

AMumInScotland · 25/02/2008 14:35

The speaking bits will be just reading out what's on the service sheet, and mostly the group will all be doing it together, so it's not too daunting.

As to the HS, well yes I guess some people do really experience it in that overwhelming sort of way during the service. I'm sure everyone will be fine about it if you do react that way, but equally don't be surprised if you don't really feel any different during the service itself, these things happen or not in their own time...

Original poster

Niecie · 25/02/2008 14:39

I'd rather not experience anything during the service (a bit chicken I know) although my friend did say that it cemented her faith and made it real so I am kind of envious of that.

OP posts:

AMumInScotland · 25/02/2008 14:49

I think it's relatively rare, probably more people have a spiritual experience at some point where they are quiet and peaceful rather than when they're caught up in the practicalities of the service itself. That sounds rather dull and prosaic of me, I'm afraid, but I've found the moments of clarity about things don't always run to the church schedule...

MaryBS · 25/02/2008 17:11

You can get the C of E services online. I presume you use modern language (aka Common Worship) at your church?

Confirmation in Communion Service

I've been involved in the teaching of Adult Confirmation classes, and I've always found it really interesting. (Assuming it follows the same pattern as our classes) You get to cover the beliefs of the church and why things are done the way they are. Things like the Creeds, praying, church services, the sacraments.

This is the book we work from and it really is very good, explains things really well AND is interesting!

Faith Confirmed

As for how you feel on the day, try not to worry too much about it. I would hope that whatever happens, you'll find it an uplifting experience. Its not obligatory to faint/collapse/cry/speak in tongues . I believe God won't 'make' you do anything you're uncomfortable with!

Original poster

Niecie · 26/02/2008 23:53

Thanks for that MaryBS. I will try and find out if they use a particular book for our classes and if they don't I may well get the book you suggest. It looks interesting.

Thanks to the link to the service too. I can practice my lines!

In your experience do adults make a big deal of getting confirmed as you would with a child's baptism or is it just something relatively private and understated? I personally don't want to make a big deal of it but I don't know if I should be making more effort.

OP posts:

overthehill · 27/02/2008 00:09

I think you can make a big a deal of it - or not - as you like, Niecie. It probably also depends on whether it's being done in your own church or not and on the church's attitude ie some will use it as the excuse for a celebration and others would see it as a more private affair. Our church prepares both youngish children and adults for confirmation and my dc's have both been 'done'. We had a special Sunday lunch and invited Godparents and some close friends from church, and it was lovely - but still quite low-key.

AMumInScotland · 27/02/2008 11:41

Unless you're the kind of person who's always looking for a reason for a big family party, then there's no need to make a big deal out of it at all. It may also be done on a weekday evening, which reduces your opportunities, even if you wanted to. I can't even remember whether we went out for a meal afterwards now

MaryBS · 27/02/2008 20:04

Our last "confirmation class graduates" had a party organised by the church for all of them, and their families.

The group prior to that, we shared a meal together, just those confirmed, myself and the vicar.

I would say to you, what do YOU want, if you want to mark the occasion by having a small/large party, then do so!

marymoocow · 17/03/2008 10:08

Just found this. I and my husband were confirmed yesterday. The service was lovely, and everything was said as a group. There was an opportunity to stand at the front and explain what had lead you to confirmation, what your journey had been in effect, but it wasn't pushed on to you. Neither of us chose to do this, but some did. The children who were being confirmed also said the prayers. Apart from that everything just flowed along following the service sheet.
It was a very happy day. And I did get tearful when the Bishop did the blessing (not sure if I was just overwhelmed by the day though).
I also had dilemas about whether to have a party afterwards or not. See here. In the end it co-incided with ds1 birthday, so we invited those who came to the church to come back, and then other family members came later in the day. It did make it a very long day, but i'm glad we did it. It made what was already a very special day even more special.
Hope all goes well, sorry for long post

Peachy · 17/03/2008 10:13

It varies dependeing on the church, there's a format they ahve to cover I think (hope so or will fail part of essay on sacraments I submitted alst week ), can copy and past the Anglican confiormation description from that essay if you want?

Am being baptised and confirms in next six months, ds3 will be baptised at same time, as will ds4. other two were 'done' as babies.

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