Confirmation is not “a completion of baptism.”  Confirmation is a mature adult commitment to God through the Lord Jesus. It is expressed in several ways, depending on circumstances: 

1) a person baptized as an infant or child now making his/her own mature commitment;

2) a person now wishing to be an Episcopalian who was baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church, an Eastern Orthodox Church, or the Lutheran Church;

3) an Episcopalian who wishes to express a renewed commitment in his/her spiritual journey. 

One usually prepares for Confirmation through a short course that reviews Episcopal theology, spirituality, worship, and customs.  Our clergy are pleased to consult about Confirmation.

First Communion

Until some thirty or forty years ago, a child was not allowed to receive Holy Communion until his/her adult commitment in Confirmation.  At that time, however, the Episcopal Church changed its spiritual discipline to allow Holy Communion to any person from the moment of baptism.  This recognizes that baptism is the beginning of full membership with all its privileges, especially Holy Communion.  It also recognizes a better instructional model of including children in what their community is doing, even though they don’t completely understand its meaning (who does?). 

So, at Saint Andrew’s, we don’t have a “first communion” for children; they are included all along.  If parents wish, our clergy are available to explain the meaning of Holy Communion in age-appropriate ways to children and such instruction is part of our Sunday School curriculum.