Confirmation

Ephesians 1:13 – “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

The Episcopal Church defines Confirmation as the sacramental rite in which 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). I have the distinct pleasure each year of being the second Confirmation teaching helper to our beloved, Rev. Kevin Lloyd. Kevin does such an incredible job of educating and engaging our youth in all that the Episcopal Church embodies. This rite of Confirmation is so important in the life of our young people to choose to commit to a Christian way of life and welcomed into the Episcopal Church. I remember my own and feeling like I was “official” and affirming my Christian walk. It was a little different then as I was younger, only 12, and we had sponsors. The girls wore pretty, white dresses, and the boys wore suits or jackets and ties. The sponsors were typically other Episcopalian adults from the parish that we met with about once a week. I still remember mine, a neighbor from down the street and we would have the best conversations, and it felt like I was special to be able to spend time with another adult and discuss our faith. We both look back at that time fondly and it creates a lifelong bond even if you lose touch. What a blessing to have another adult in the parish to have such a positive impact on your walk of faith.

That’s why I was thrilled this year that Kevin brought back what we are now calling Confirmation companions. Each of the youth confirmands this year have been paired with another parish member to discuss their faith. We have received great feedback from both sides that they are each getting a lot out of their meetings. As their youth leader, I have known several of these youth for a while. What an honor to be even a small part of their faith journey. It will be wonderful to see all of them officially welcomed into the Episcopal Church and affirm their faith by Bishop Sam laying on his hands to confirm them on October 11th. Kevin and I are beyond proud of each of these young people and the impact this will have on their lives of faith.

Acts 8:14–17 – “When Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”