As stated by our catechism, “Confirmation is the laying on of the bishop’s hands with prayer for strengthening by the Holy Spirit, followed by a period of catechetical formation. In confirmation, I make a mature confession of faith, publicly renewing the vows and promises made at my Baptism.” Confirmation is therefore rightly likened to a lay ordination, when one receives a blessing from a bishop to be a witness for Christ and his kingdom in the world by immersing oneself in the life of the Church. Confirmation, then, is a gift to be desired, a sacramental encounter with God.

An additional unique feature of confirmation is “the laying on of hands by a bishop.” This is what connects a person’s faith commitment with the apostolic Church, having received a blessing from a bishop for lay ordination, from one who represents the apostolic witness as well as the historic, global Church. A person is therefore only confirmed once in their life.

While someone can be a member of All Saints without having received confirmation, in the sense of one who is viewed by the local church’s leadership as being under their pastoral care and oversight, only confirmed members can serve on the Vestry, be licensed as Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and serve as delegates to our regular diocesan synod (gatherings).