Gus and I decided to get confirmed a bit later in life than some people. We are both in our mid twenties and getting married next May. As we planned the wedding service, we started thinking more about the commitment that we were making to each other before God.

We had also moved to Hampton Hill relatively recently and started attending and enjoying the services at St James, so the two elements combined made us decide to use this time of lovely change in our lives to think more about our faith and prepare for confirmation.

It was great that there was another young couple who were also taking this step so that the four of us had some very interesting sessions to prepare for confirmation with Brian and Julie.

The evening get-togethers covered many thought-provoking topics such as Using the Bible, the Eucharist and Prayer. We looked forward to the evenings each week - a good time to think and also nice occasions to chat and get to know the rest of the group.

The confirmation service itself was very special. There was a supportive feeling with several groups of people coming together to get confirmed, as well as many family and friends wishing us all well. I had not met Bishop Michael before and found him both awe-inspiring during the service and approachable in our discussions before and afterwards. Julie and Brian made the whole experience of preparing and getting confirmed at St James enjoyable and rewarding.

Source: Millie Kilpatrick, The Spire Magazine - 2005 January

Since I was two my Mum has been taking me to St James. I was baptised there and over the years I have played in the Travellers band, attended Sunday school and Young Church. I’ve not gone every week but when I could.

Now I am thirteen I am too old for my Mum to decide whether I go to Church or not. So after giving it some thought I decided to get confirmed and become an ‘adult’ member of the Church. In this way I shall make my own decisions about which services I go to and how I get involved in church activities. For me being confirmed means that as I grow older I will always be able to take part in Church events.

Before the service I met the Bishop, he asked me which school I went to, how old I was and about my family. It was good to meet him before the service, it made everything less daunting. The service itself was easy because I have been to lots of different ones over the years. At one point in the service it was weird because the Bishop pressed hard down on my head when confirming me but then it was over and I could relax and celebrate. I am glad I decided to get confirmed I am really looking forward to taking part in the Midnight Communion Service on Christmas Eve.

Source: Ewan Henry, The Spire Magazine - 2005 January