Confirmations & Receptions
Confirmation and reception are mature commitments to the Body of Christ as a member of the Episcopal Church. On page 412 of the Book of Common Prayer, confirmation is described: “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.”
In other words, in maturity we are called to affirm the faith that was a gift to us as children and to ask the help of the Christian community in living out our baptismal vows.
Youth Confirmation
With the guidance of the Book of Common Prayer and our long experience, the clergy and leadership of St. Martin’s recommend that Confirmation preparation occur when a young person over the age of 14 feels ready to fully commit himself/herself/themselves to the Body of Christ. Young people over the age of 12 are eligible for Confirmation.
We feel that the conditions for a mature, personal choice for faith in Christ are most likely in high school, though that is not a requirement. This is the most mature these young people will be while still in our orbit.
At St. Martin’s, we believe that God gave us sentience and the ability to reason. The integrity of the the choice to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation must be free, and un-coerced by parents, other adults, or other outside influences. Confirmation preparation can end with a choice to be confirmed or not.
To be confirmed, a young person must be regular in attendance at worship (regular participation in word, sacrament, and fellowship is a baptismal vow), and active in Youth Group or other Parish events. We will hold an information session about confirmation in the fall of each program year.
As much as possible, we will ask to have confirmation at St. Martin’s when a bishop visits. If this is not possible, confirmation for all candidates will take place at the cathedral.
Adult Confirmation & Reception
Once a year, we offer classes for adults who have not yet been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church to become so. If you were baptized as an adult in another denomination you do not need to be confirmed here but you can be received into the Episcopal Church.
Which is right for you, confirmation or reception?
Reception is if you are baptized and confirmed in the Catholic, Orthodox or mainline Protestant traditions but not in the Episcopal Church.
Confirmation is if you have been baptized as an infant, or child and never been confirmed in the Episcopal Church or the Catholic, Orthodox, or mainline Protestant.
Baptism is also offered for adults who have not yet been baptized in any tradition.
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