Getting Confirmed at
St Barnabas
People who have been baptised may be confirmed provided they are old enough to renew for themselves the promises made for them at their baptism by their parents and godparents. At St Barnabas, because we admit children from the age of seven to communion, we normally would expect candidates for confirmation to be 14 or over, and most of our recent candidates have been adults who have wanted to make this next important step on their faith journeys. Confirmation is a public acknowledgement by each candidate that they accept full implications of what a Christian life entails. It is a mature step which requires of each candidate that they approach their faith with
honesty and their relationship with God with great seriousness as well as joy.
St Barnabas offers a yearly annual preparation course leading towards confirmation. This is organised jointly with the church of St Paul's, Wimbledon Park. Confirmation takes place once a year in the Deanery of Wandsworth, usually in June. The service is normally taken either by the Bishop of Southwark or the Area Bishop of Kingston.
First Communion at St Barnabas
In Luke chapter 9, Jesus said ‘ Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’ For many years St Barnabas church has followed the practice of welcoming children who have been baptised, are established members of the congregation, and over 7 years of age, to receive the bread and the wine along with the rest of their family.
The annual course
Once a year there is a short course to help the children understand the step they are taking. The course is usually run in the autumn , on Saturday morning and culminates in a special service on All Saints day- this year November 1st.
Things to know
It is vital that any child admitted to first communion does so of their own choice, so parents need to discuss the matter carefully with them.
It is important that any child wishing to receive communion has been attending church services and young worshippers, together with their family for at least a year.
