What is confirmation? What if I’m already baptized and confirmed?

Because we baptize infants, confirmation invites youth and adults to make public and mature affirmations of their faith and their baptism. Bishops enact confirmation when the baptized were too young to initially take on the vows and responsibilities of baptism, or when those baptized as youth and adults affirm their faith and the promises of their baptism in the presence of the bishop. In both occasions, we outwardly mark confirmation through the bishop’s laying on of hands.

Reception provides an opportunity for those baptized and confirmed in other denominations to be formally welcomed into the Episcopal Church. Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows offers anyone who is already baptized and confirmed to repeat and again claim their baptismal vows and identity. Reception and reaffirmation are also done in the presence of the bishop.

Marriage

We remember that Jesus’ first sign in the Gospel of John, turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana, shows us that Jesus recognizes and affirms the joining of two people in marriage. While our prayer books, which date back to 1979, name marriage to be “a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman,” today we welcome and celebrate marriage between two individuals, whether they are a heterosexual couple or fall elsewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

The marriage liturgy in our prayer book will likely sound familiar, as it’s often used in television and movies (though our liturgy doesn't include an invitation to kiss the bride!).

There are options outside of the Book of Common Prayer for those who seek a more inclusive rite for marriage, and it may be possible to adapt the form of marriage from the Prayer Book to again be more inclusive and welcoming.

Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her,
in sickness and in health;
and, forsaking all others,
be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child is offered for anyone who has recently welcomed a child into their home. Through this practice, the child is welcomed by the congregation, and we all give thanks to God for the birth or adoption. We encourage those interested to come for this thanksgiving as close as possible to the birth or adoption.

On Sunday mornings, we practice corporate confession, recognizing together that we have fallen short, in what we have done and what we have neglected, asking God to bring us back into relationship. Individual confession, known formally as Reconciliation of a Penitent, offers the chance for individuals to name and confess their sin at any time or in any place. Any follower of Christ can hear confession, but only Priests and Bishops may pronounce God’s absolution.

Our priest can offer special ministrations to those who are sick and those who are near death. We recognize that God’s healing brings restoration and wholeness, yet it is not always a promise of miraculous recovery. God acts in healing, in the presence of those gathered around a person who is ill or near death, and in welcoming back to God those who are dying.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold,
a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.