Wednesday 22 February 2017

Thinking of Confirmation this year?

Our annual Deanery (meaning Whitstable, Herne, surrounding villages and Herne Bay) Confirmation Service this year will take place at

St Bartholomew's Church, Herne Bay

On

Saturday 20th May at 6pm.

With a rehearsal on Thursday 18th May at the same church at 7pm


To find the location of the church please click HERE





WHO CAN BE CONFIRMED?

Confirmation is open to:

Anyone of any age over school year 5. So Year 6 pupils or 7 and 8 or upwards are welcome. This is for this academic year 2016-2017.

It is also most certainly open to adults and these day the majority of people who are confirmed are adults.


WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?

Confirmation is the next step in the Christian journey after baptism. If you are not yet baptised (or christened - same word) that does not matter - Simon can explain to you about baptism too. We will try and arrange your baptism before 20th May.

Confirmation is the time when the child or adult decides for themselves that they want to take their faith seriously and follow Jesus and are not ashamed to say they are a Christian.

Nearly all Confirmation candidates have significant questions and even doubts, but as long as they are interested in finding out more and genuinely want to grow in the Christian faith, then they are on the right path and can be confirmed. Jesus does not expect us to have all the answers, he simply expects us to be willing  to follow him.

Receiving the bread and wine - the body and blood of Jesus - at a Holy Communion service, is a sign of being willing to follow Jesus. All those who are confirmed are given a special blessing so that they are then in a position to receive Communion at future services at All Saints and any other church in the Anglican communion and indeed in many other church denominations too.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CONFIRMATION SERVICE?

There may be a few people who are willing to speak about their faith at the service, but this is not expected of everyone, so if you are not wanting to do this that is fine.

You will not be expected to answer any questions on your own.You will answer questions about your faith and desire to follow Jesus with the other confirmation candidates.

Then the Bishop will pray for you by placing his hands on your head and asking for a special anointing of the Holy Spirit on you.

You will then receive a certificate and a book from All Saints Whitstable to help you grow in your Christian journey.

The Confirmation service is at Herne Bay on Saturday 20th but there is no Communion during the service. Therefore we also hope you can come to receive your first Holy Communion on Sunday 21st May at 10am at All Saints church. If you can put this in your diary too Simon would be grateful.


WHAT PREPARATION AND COSTS ARE INVOLVED?

Being Confirmed is free of charge.

There will be preparation classes for both children and adults. These will be arranged with those who are interested in confirmation.

Contact the Vicar, Simon, at tillotsons@gmail.com or at 01227 272308 and he will discuss with you possible dates and times for the classes, which also are free of charge.

He looks forward to hearing from you soon!