Nervous about Confirmation

[bellantara]

Hi, I'm a new Anglican, due to be confirmed Sunday. I've read the Order for Confirmation in the BCP and I'm scared. I don't think I can stand up and answer all those questions!! Would love some reassurance.

 

[Fairbairn]

I was confirmed at around your age and I thought that it was a wonderful experience. I can't remember feeling nervous about it - I think the questions require very simple answers from you, unless you are giving a testimony.

At my confirmation, we had it on a Tuesday evening and it was a deanery wide service hosted at my home church. I didn't think that it was going to be a big thing when I went through my confirmation classes, so when I heard the church bells, and walked into a full and buzzing church, it was an amazing feeling. Then that church family had made an effort to come to the service (getting babysitters etc.), and giving me gifts.

I hope your confirmation is as special as mine was.

My eldest will be confirmed next year, DV, and I am going to volunteer to assist in the classes.

 

[bellantara]

I was confirmed at around your age and I thought that it was a wonderful experience. I can't remember feeling nervous about it - I think the questions require very simple answers from you, unless you are giving a testimony.

At my confirmation, we had it on a Tuesday evening and it was a deanery wide service hosted at my home church. I didn't think that it was going to be a big thing when I went through my confirmation classes, so when I heard the church bells, and walked into a full and buzzing church, it was an amazing feeling. Then that church family had made an effort to come to the service (getting babysitters etc.), and giving me gifts.

I hope your confirmation is as special as mine was.

My eldest will be confirmed next year, DV, and I am going to volunteer to assist in the classes.

Thanks for sharing your memory. It's all new to me (I grew up Baptist), it's the parish anniversary, and I've never met a bishop before!!

 

[Fairbairn]

Bishops are very good at putting you at ease

 

[gtsecc]

Don't worry about that.
The slap from the Bishop is the hardest part.

 

[bellantara]

Don't worry about that.
The slap from the Bishop is the hardest part.

So my priest tells me.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Hi, I'm a new Anglican, due to be confirmed Sunday. I've read the Order for Confirmation in the BCP and I'm scared. I don't think I can stand up and answer all those questions!! Would love some reassurance.

How exciting! I was about your age, too, when I was confirmed!

Fairbairn is right about Bishops being good at putting you at ease. I'm absolutely positive it will be a very special day for you.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Fairbairn]

I don't remember any slap...

 

[DeoJuvante]

I didn't get slapped. I don't think they do it in Australia - there's no mention of one in our prayer book.

 

[ebia]

I didn't get slapped. I don't think they do it in Australia - there's no mention of one in our prayer book.

No. I don't remember anything about slapping when I was confirmed in England 20 odd years ago either.

 

[Tawny]

I was confirmed aged 12. I remember it to be a lovely service and I felt truly renewed after it. Just relax and remember it is personal to you. YOU are confirming your faith In God. You will be fine .

 

[gtsecc]

Some do; some don't.
It isn't a hard slap anyway. It is symbolic.
The Call to Christ means we are called to suffer for Him.

 

[Fairbairn]

Some do; some don't.
It isn't a hard slap anyway. It is symbolic.
The Call to Christ means we are called to suffer for Him.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I'm with you, Fairbairn! We don't do the slap around these parts.

 

[gtsecc]

The slap is not important.
That we will suffer when following Christ is important.
We are not above our Master.
The call to follow Christ is hard.

 

[Fairbairn]

I'm with you, Fairbairn! We don't do the slap around these parts.

I'm sure there's a law against it, especially for our younger confirmands.

 

[gtsecc]

Good Lord.
The Bishop doesn't do it hard.
The Confirmand is becoming a soilder for Christ.
The slap is a reminder that this will be hard, but that Christ will strengthen him.
The Bishop touches the cheek, and says, "Pax tecum!" or "Peace be with you!"

 

[karen freeinchristman]

The slap is not important.
That we will suffer when following Christ is important.
We are not above our Master.
The call to follow Christ is hard.

We will suffer, but we also have great joy.

 

[Fairbairn]

The bishop didn't speak to me in Latin

 

[gtsecc]

Of course!
Christ's joy increases as He proceed on towards the Cross.