DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS

  Guidelines for Confirmation Services
(with or without Baptism and the Eucharist)

 

The Bishops assume that the service will follow the Common Worship Order which we commend as a rich resource. If you propose to use the Order from the Book of Common Prayer, please speak directly to the Bishop concerned well in advance of the service.

In common with most of the Common Worship material, the Initiation Services contain within them a range of alternatives and some selection is essential if the service is to give prominence to the central actions of Baptism and Confirmation and also to be accessible to those present who may not be regular churchgoers. These notes indicate the decisions to be made and our general advice.

Notices, if any, should be given out by the incumbent before the service begins. Usually a service can then proceed unannounced but, for instance if hymn books are being used, the incumbent should make any announcement.

The Gloria may be used, but only when there is a specific reason for its inclusion, e.g. at a major festival.

Readings should be those of the day on Sundays and principal festivals. On other occasions the choice should be made in consultation with the Bishop. We suggest that usually there should be two readings only.

A large candle may be lit for the Decision. The use of the Pascal (Easter) candle is encouraged so please let the Bishop know if this will not take place.

At the signing of the Cross, Oil (previously blessed on Maundy Thursday) may be used. Its use should follow the custom of the parish. Where there are candidates from more than one parish there should be agreement as to whether oil is used.

The prayer over the water should be one of the seasonal or general, responsive or ordinary prayers provided in the appendices.

If there is to be clothing after Baptism please consult the Bishop specifically about this.

If there is to be Affirmation or Reception then please speak directly to the Bishop about this.

The physical arrangement for the laying on of the hand at Confirmation should be made by the parish priest and the Bishop advised of this when he arrives at the church. The Bishops have no preference as to whether the candidates are confirmed standing or kneeling, singly, in pairs or in lines. The presenting priest should speak the name firmly, so that the congregation can hear it and name cards should not be used.

The Bishops of Hertford and Bedford use the form of words in Common Worship.

The Bishop of St Albans prefers the following form:

The Bishop addresses the candidates:

God has called you by name and made you his own.

He then lays hands on the head of each, saying:

Confirm, O Lord, your servant N with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Commission and prayers of intercession may be used. Care should be taken in considering the nature of the service (the number of candidates, whether or not there is a Eucharist, the time of day, etc.) in deciding whether either/both of these should be included.

The Eucharist should usually be included for services taking place on a Sunday. Where there are candidates from several churches at weekday services, the Eucharist should normally not be included so that candidates may take their first Communion in their own church.

The Eucharistic Prayer should be selected by the parish priest. Please consult the Bishop if you wish the Sursum Corda (or any part of the service) to be sung and, if this is agreed, provide the music.

At Communion the Bishop would normally wish to administer the bread to the whole congregation, accompanied by two assistants administering chalices. In some circumstances we understand that two or more distribution points may be helpful.

The giving of a lighted candle may be included.

 

Some final general points.

Hymns should be sensitively chosen to reflect the nature of the service, the parishes represented, the age and background of the candidates, etc. Judicious choice can greatly enhance services and the use of a service sheet enables verses to be selectively omitted.

Where Confirmation candidates have not been baptised we urge that, where possible, the Baptism should take place within the context of the whole Initiation Rite at a service of Baptism and Confirmation, thus highlighting the ancient integrity of the Rite. Other candidates for Baptism at the service should be confined to family members where an adult is being confirmed.

Please do not introduce other prayers and material (e.g. your favourite prayers from another church’s confirmation rite). The integrity of the Common Worship service should be preserved.

A special service sheet can be very helpful to those unaccustomed to church services. An enlarged typed copy is often appreciated by the Bishop. Those parishes without facility to create their own service sheets can obtain from Abbey Gate House standard sheets suitable for photocopying.

Christopher St Albans
Christopher Hertford
Richard Bedford

  July 2004