31 people from across the Diocese were confirmed yesterday evening in a service at the Cathedral for the Feast of Christ the King. Those being confirmed ranged from age 11 to 77 and came from 16 different parishes. One candidate was also baptised.
Bishop Martin confirmed the candidates. In his sermon he said: “This is a very special evening. Each one of you being confirmed has made the decision to open the door of your heart to Jesus our saviour – alleluia! Jesus said: ‘If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come to you.’ Go out from this place in the knowledge that you will never be alone. Wherever you are at 10am tomorrow, you’ll be God’s secret agent, his messenger in that place. I pray that Jesus, light of the world, will scatter the darkness before you and that you’ll feel his presence and strength.”
Some of the youngest candidates for confirmation were Gethin, Evelyn and Owen who made the decision to be confirmed after completing a Youth Alpha Course in the Holy Trinity Team in Redditch. Gethin, age 11, said: “I’m feeling happy today as I want God to be part of my life.” Evelyn, also 11 said: “I enjoyed Alpha and made new friends.” Owen, age 13, said: “Our church leader, Francis, made Alpha fun, I learnt more about God and the Holy Spirit. I’m feeling a bit anxious about being confirmed but am looking forward to it.”
Dean Jones from St John the Baptist in Claines spoke during the service. He said: “I was baptised as a baby but am now in my 50s and was never confirmed. My two eldest children were confirmed at the Cathedral and when my youngest was baptised a few months ago, I thought it was time to confirm my own commitment through confirmation.”
Michael Collins from Christ Church in Malvern decided to get confirmed age 77. He said: “I’ve never been a huge churchgoer but have always believed in the bible. I married my childhood sweetheart last year who attends church regularly and she really turned things around for me. If things are worrying me, I now go into church and often find the answers there. Going into church is a wonderful feeling for me.”
Congratulations to all those who were baptised and confirmed.
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