Welcome to the Journey!!

Confirmation in the Presbyterian tradition is closely tied to the sacrament of Baptism. In Baptism we are claimed as children of God, and we are received into God's family in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. When parents bring their children to receive this adoption, parents are asked to make promises to live with their children among God's people, to bring them to God's worship, to share the scriptures with them, and to teach them the basics of the Christian faith so that their children may come to love, trust and serve God and Christ. The members of the church also promise to help this child come to know, love and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

In Confirmation, often celebrated when children have grown into young adults, those being confirmed recognize and affirm the baptism they received as children and take personal responsibility for living out the promises their parents made at their baptism. They profess their faith and make promises before God very similar to those made by their parents. As an adult member of Christ's family, confirmands express their intentions to live among God's faithful people, attend to God's worship, and show the Gospel in lives of
faithful service.

Confirmation is not the end of a journey; it is a special time in the journey set aside for questioning, wondering, doubting, seeking, searching, and growing. Confirmation is not a ticket to freedom or a graduation from the Church- but rather it is a welcome and beginning of a new life and commitment in God’s family, the Body of Christ.

Confirmation is no small, insignificant thing. This is a process of joy and wonder, faith and hope- it is a big step and one that we will celebrate! Welcome to the journey, welcome to the family!