1.      to publicly declare your faith in Christ

2.      to publicly declare that  your faith is the same as the faith of Christians throughout the world

3.      to receive prayer from the bishop, in order that you might be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit

The reaffirmation of baptism vows is for people who have been baptised and confirmed, but who have subsequently come into a living faith in Jesus Christ and wish to have the opportunity to publicly reaffirm their baptism vows.

Confirmation is for people who are 14 or over, and who have been baptised.
If you were baptised as a child, it is an opportunity for you to say the baptism promises yourself.
If you were baptised as an adult, it is an opportunity to re-declare that faith, and to receive prayer from the bishop.

Technically speaking, every person who receives communion in the Church of England should have been confirmed (unless they have moved here from a different Christian denomination where they received communion, or if they are 11 or over and receive communion before confirmation). The reason for this is that if you have the faith to receive communion, you have the faith to publicly confess Jesus Christ.  

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE SERVICE?
The candidates declare their faith in Christ using the words on the back of this letter (There may be an opportunity for some to say what they believe in their own words).  Candidates who have not been baptised will receive baptism. The Bishop then lays his hands on each candidate’s head and prays that God will confirm them with the gift of his Holy Spirit. 

WILL THERE BE ANY PREPARATION?
Yes. There will be preparation sessions beginning in September. There will be 4 sessions, on Wednesday evenings, September 15, 22, 29 and October 13. There may also be daytime sessions if people are unable to make the evenings. This will help people find out more about confirmation/reaffirmation and what it involves.