Confirmation Spring 2021

St. James is happy to announce that The Rt. Rev’d Robert Skirving, Bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina, will be at St. James on Sunday, May 2, 2021, to preach, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Book of Common Prayer states that, “Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.” (p. 860).

In Confirmation, baptized persons are “confirmed” in the Christian faith with a laying on of hands by a bishop. Reception is a way for adults who have been confirmed by a bishop in the Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or Eastern Orthodox Church to be received into the Episcopal Church by a bishop. The bishop does not lay hands on them but receives them into the church.

Adults wishing to be confirmed/received or who may have questions are asked to contact The Rev. Chris Hamby.

Confirmation for our young people will reflect a change that is supported by the Clergy and Vestry. Beginning this year, we ask that young people who desire to be confirmed be a sophomore in high school or older. Faith formation takes time and maturity. Developing one’s faith is a wonderful time of discovery and exploration. As our young people move towards a deeper understanding or faith, scripture, Episcopal traditions and grace, their desire to independently affirm their faith. It is an amazing and wonderful time to discover the meaning of Christian commitment in their own lives and to explore ways that their Christian commitment can be more authentically lived and shared. Christian faith formation is a growth process that takes time and care.

This maturation process is well stated by the Diocese of Connecticut: “By late High School (age 16 and older), there is an increased level of independence and a more cohesive sense of identity. Individuals are more likely able to examine their inner experiences and think ideas through with more emotional stability. They can show concern for others, delay self-gratification and compromise. Peer relationships remain important, but now take a place among their other interests. They are more concerned with the future and the importance of one’s role in life. Social and cultural traditions regain importance in their lives, and there is an increased interest in moral reasoning, personal dignity, self-esteem and setting goals. It is a time to encounter and nurture one’s spirituality as well as plan for the future, further education, career and adulthood. Young adults are able to enter into critical reflection on their beliefs and values, gaining perspective on life and understanding of the self as part of a social system. The internalization of authority and the assumption of responsibility for making explicit choices of ideology and life-style open the way for critically self-aware commitments in relationships and vocation. This “individuative-reflective” faith is an appropriate time for a person to make a commitment and re-affirmation to a particular belief system, such as being confirmed.”

Remembering that we are “marked as Christ’s own at Baptism,” it is our hope that our young people will seek Confirmation at a time in their life and maturity where they enter into the fullness of being an active participant in the “Body of Christ” known as “The Church.” It will be a time where we, as St. James, include, journey alongside, encourage and invite our newly confirmed 10th graders into the fullness of their commitment to our Triune God and into full participation in the "Body of Christ,” The Church.”

We invite all people within our Parish to pray for the people who will soon begin the process of Confirmation and for the people who will be growing in their faith as they await Confirmation in the future. If you have any questions or if you would like more information about this Confirmation, please contact The Rev. Michael Singer, [email protected], The Rev. Cheryl Brainard, [email protected], or The Rev. Chris Hamby, [email protected].