Confirmation
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is for individuals who have not yet made a public profession of faith. This rite is for those who were baptized as infants or whose baptismal vows were made on their behalf by parents or godparents. During confirmation individuals confirm the vows which were and said on their behalf. “Confirmation is the sacramental rite in which the 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). To be confirmed, all candidates prepare through prayer, education, and mentorship. This catechumenal process helps candidates develop their a personal articulation of God and explore ways to live deeper into Christian discipleship.
Confirmation for Youth
Here at Good Shepherd, we have designed our EYC confirmation class for all High School Students. We have 10 total classes with five in the Fall and 5 five in the Spring. It is not required to attend every class; however, it is highly encouraged. The syllabus for the confirmation class, along with the schedule of each class is attached. We ask that each Confirmand complete their Confirmation Information Form and identify who their Confirmation Mentor will be and make note of his/her name on the form.
Confirmation for Adults
Here at Good Shepherd, we have designed our EYC confirmation class for all High School Students. We have 10 total classes with five in the Fall and 5 five in the Spring. It is not required to attend every class; however, it is highly encouraged. The syllabus for the confirmation class, along with the schedule of each class is attached. We ask that each Confirmand complete their Confirmation Information Form and identify who their Confirmation Mentor will be and make note of his/her name on the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mentor?
Having relationships with people who are outside of the family tree, who identify as Christian (more specifically Episcopalian), and who a student can go to and talk about faith can be life changing. These students even though they may be young live their life on such demanding schedules. Their work life balance is extremely challenging between pressure from school, extra-curricular activities, family, friends, not to mention trying to discover who God is and what God’s role is in their life. Your role is to be alongside them and be exactly what they’ve asked, a Mentor who they can come and talk to.
We encourage mentors to attend as many confirmation classes as possible. We also encourage mentors to meet with their student at least once a month to “check-in” with their Confirmand in regards to what they are learning in the class
What is the purpose of a mentor?
The purpose of a mentor is to help a student navigate through all the stresses and demands of life and discover where God is in all of it. This can best be achieved by helping them dig deeper and answer some tough questions about their own personal beliefs and not just the ones they’ve been taught. Do they see God in their everyday life? Where do they see God in their everyday life?
The role of a Mentor may seem to be cut and dry. When you think about Confirmation you might think about the Content and Curriculum, but this goes much deeper. Our students will learn a lot more from the role models in their lives and how they share love, compassion, forgiveness, help and how they model their own spiritual practices, than what we teach them in our 45-minute class on Sunday Mornings. The modeling that we all do as Confirmed members of the church shows our students that we are not just independent Christians, but we are part of a larger community of faith and we need one another. We will walk along with these students as they decide if they are prepared to take on the Baptismal Vows made on their behalf by their parents.