confirmation
However, there is also much to celebrate and it is not hard to find signs of God’s work in people and parishes across the land including: growing numbers of young people turning to Christ, burgeoning vocations in some dioceses across all kinds of churches, but particularly those from deprived areas, confirmation and ordination candidates who have journeyed to the church from all over the world and from many different faiths, the growth of new monastic communities like The Nazareth Community, imaginative and sacrificial approaches to poverty and the cost-of-living crisis in so many churches including debt counselling, night shelters and foodbanks.
After a year or two, many of the choristers ask to profess, in baptism and confirmation, the faith they learned at Evensong.
Ministry brings me great joy: gathering with God’s people at the altar, preaching the gospel, baptising new Christians, preparing for confirmation, conducting marriages, ministering to the sick, praying with the dying, comforting the bereaved and commending the departed to God; forming new links in our community, sharing ideas for mission with my PCCs, partnering with local charities, engaging with young people, offering teaching series, encouraging people to pray, to read, and to engage with the Christian faith.
I came to faith through confirmation at 14 years old, which was further nurtured by the evangelical chaplaincy and Christian Union at university.
After leaving college I went to live in Kinver and started going to St Peters Church where after a confirmation class, I was at last confirmed and amazingly found out that Vic Temple and his wife, Margaret attended St Peters.
In Bickley I have been involved with confirmation preparation and enquirers’ courses, and in our previous, inner-city, parish I learnt about the challenges and joys of life as a clergy spouse.
Having been brought up as an Anglican, I stepped back from faith for a time after confirmation.
A Deep Commitment to Parish Ministry I love parochial ministry and mission: public and private prayer, celebrating the eucharist, preaching to and teaching all ages, pastoral care, occasional offices, equipping and releasing God’s people, outreach, preparing for confirmation, serving our local communities, school assemblies, caring for God’s acre and for our wonderful buildings (though often challenging!).
I brought my own children to baptism and confirmation and have tried to be the faithful presence that keeps family and Church connected across the generations.
Over the course of five years I have spoken in debates about funding for lay training, diocesan finances and confirmation statistics.
My parish, like many others, has seen growth in young adults seeking baptism and confirmation in recent years.
I have developed a popular confirmation course which has been used around the country.
I am committed to the Five Marks of Mission and greatly enjoy baptism and confirmation services.
Synod Motions at General Synod (See of Dover CNC, Confirmation statistics), Co-convenor of General Synod Anti-Racism network, part of General Synod Environment Group and working for full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Anglicans in all roles in the Church of England.