CofE peeps......wondering about confirmation......

[FaithinQuestion]

I was wondering how long (weeks? months?)it may take from speaking to the vicar (CofE) about getting confirmed (as an adult) to the confirmation service. And is there only one service at easter? - I know it has to be done by the bishop. What if you cant make it to that service..... (my baby is due at Easter!)do you have to wait another year?
Many thanks.

How long is a piece of string? There is often a big batch of confirmations at easter, but other confirmation services at other times of the year as well, so you won't necessarily miss out if easter isn't good for you.

Thanks,Sorry what I mean by how long, is how long are the confirmation classes..4 weeKs, 12 weeks?are they all the same.(like the alpha course?)..or does each parish do it differently....
Good to know I wouldnt necessarily have to wait a whole year!

Each parish does it differently. Ours is a 10 week course, I think. Our confirmation services haven't been at Easter, but the one in the Cathedral was, this year.

There was a batch of confirmations locally to us in August. The church magazine started suggesting people join a group from about the January I think (not sure how often they met) and it was still welcoming more in the July. Totally depends on the local Rector I think.

Mine was a ten week course, starting in September and timed for confirmation in the early spring when the Bishop was due to visit.

Confirmation services are usually held once or twice a year per deanery. Your own church may only have a service every three or four years (or even longer).

IME, it is usually to start preparation for confirmation once the date has been announced. Confirmation classes usually take about 6 weeks, though not necessarily 6 consecutive weeks.

I was confirmed when my DD was a newborn. I actually missed one of the classes because that was the day she was born. It wasn't a problem. I took her along to the remaining classes and the vicar's wife and children looked after her.

I would have thought that if you missed a confirmation service you could be confirmed at a different church with a different group of people. In general C of E is fairly reasonable.

Thank you for all your replies, will talk to the vicar after his busy Christmas. Thank you.