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’).

Home Life events Confirmation The Confirmation service

The Confirmation service

At the Service of Confirmation (which takes place within the context of the Eucharist) candidates are asked to respond together to questions the Bishop puts to them:

Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ

Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of my sins

Do you renounce evil?
I renounce evil

Do you believe in God the Father, the Creator of all?
I believe and trust in God the Father

Do you believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world?
I believe and trust in God the Son

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life?
I believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit

The Bishop will then baptize any candidates for baptism.

He will then say a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit to come upon those who are to be confirmed. Then he lays his hands on each candidate (and he may also anoint each one with holy oil) and says, ‘God has called you by name and made you his own’. Then he prays:

Confirm, Lord your servant with your heavenly grace, and anoint him/her with your Holy Spirit; empower him/her for your service and keep him/her in eternal life. Amen.
Prayer

The service continues and the candidates receive Holy Communion.

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