Cymraeg
CY
Dictionary

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Baptism

Baptism involves declaring faith in God and being washed with water. It means being cleansed from sin, being united to Jesus Christ, receiving his Holy Spirit and becoming God’s children. Sometimes called ‘Christening’.

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Confirmation

Confirmation is about ‘confirming’ the faith in God we declared at baptism. It also involves being strengthened by God’s Holy Spirit. In the Church in Wales it is administered by the bishop.

Eucharist

‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek word for ‘thanksgiving’. At the Eucharist the Church remembers Jesus’ last supper where he gave bread and wine to be his body and blood, a sign of his saving love. See also Holy Communion.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Priest

‘Priest’ comes from the Greek word for ‘elder’. Priests in the Church in Wales are those authorised specifically to proclaim forgiveness of sins, preside at the Eucharist and bless God’s people, as well as other responsibilities.

Home Life events Confirmation

Confirmation

Young man praying

Your Confirmation

In the Early Church those who were entering the Christian faith were baptised and confirmed at the same service. After a time, the Church in the West separated baptism and confirmation except in the case of adults. Infants are normally baptised and the promises made on their behalf by parents and godparents who promise that they will teach them the Christian faith and when old enough encourage them to make a personal commitment and be confirmed by the bishop.

At a Service of Confirmation today there are often candidates of all ages and some will already have been baptized whilst others will be baptized and confirmed at the same service. We are seeing an increasing number of adults coming for confirmation and there is no upper age limit.

The Service of Confirmation follows a period of preparation. This may take place by attending an informal group with others, where a priest or lay person introduces various aspects of the Christian faith, or your local church(es) may run an Alpha course or something similar for larger numbers. Preparation sessions should be fun and stimulating and you will be able to ask difficult questions and engage in discussion.

Confirmation

Follow these links for more help and advice about your Confirmation.

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