Confirmations
last updated on: 18th Apr 2013
This page contains details of the services of confirmation in 2013, as requested by Area Deans. The diocesan guidance for host incumbents can be found here, and the Confirmation return form to be submitted by every incumbent can be found here.
Bishop Tim writes:
"I am pleased to be able to inform you of the initial list of dates arranged for Confirmation services in 2013. These have largely been supplied by Area Deans and those parish priests who have requested a service. This year Bishop Christopher and I are encouraging parishes to consider whether they would like to host their own confirmation service. Bishop Christopher is particularly eager to use his Sunday visits for confirmations. He says:
“Having confirmations on a Sunday in the home church is an excellent opportunity for all to welcome the newly confirmed into the body of the Church in that place, to speak about mission and for the whole church to understand its missional character. It can not only reinforce the sense of belonging but also create a greater sense of responsibility for the care and nurture of the newly confirmed by the whole congregation. I would have been willing to devote every Sunday throughout April, May and June to doing parish confirmations and would be doubly happy if it coincided with a Church's Patronal Festival. For instance I would have been only too pleased last year to be invited to confirm the candidates from Christ the King in their own church on the Sunday morning of the Festival of Christ the King. There are many in that regular congregation who would never travel into the Cathedral. It would have done much to lift the spirits of the people to feel they had experienced something special, that the Bishop had come to them and that the newly confirmed hadn't gone away to "have something done to them". In Malawi I was often greeted by the words "You are like Jesus. You did not send a messenger but you came in person." A personal visit does so much to boost a sense of being valued.”
May I encourage all our clergy to consider how they use the parish visits of both Bishops as an opportunity for confirmation.
The current list of services booked with us is given overleaf. I would be grateful if you could share the contents of this letter with clergy and lay colleagues as you see fit. Bishop Christopher and I will each take our share of the confirmations.
31 March 6:00am Cathedral (+Tim)
26 April 7:00pm Leicester Grammar school (+Tim)
08 May 7:30pm Holy Trinity Leicester (+Tim)
08 May 7:30pm Guthlaxton (+Christopher)
09 May 6:30pm Billesdon (+Tim)
12 May 10:00am St Mary, Melton Mowbray (+Christopher)
19 May 5:00pm Sparkenhoe West (Kirkby Mallory) (+Christopher)
22 May 7:30pm N W Leicestershire (Hugglescote) (+Christopher)
05 June 7:30pm Sparkenhoe East (+Christopher)
09 June 10:45am Gartree (St Dionysius Market Harborough) (+Christopher)
07 July 4:00pm Cathedral (+Christopher)
02 October 7:30pm Guthlaxton (+Tim)
13 October 3:00pm Sparkenhoe East (+Christopher)
03 November 10:00am Framland (Ironstone villages) (+Christopher)
17 November 4:00pm N W Leicestershire (+Tim)
24 November 4:00pm Cathedral (+Tim)
May I remind you that I expect all incumbents to give confirmation candidates adequate preparation. The names of candidates should be supplied to the host incumbent in plenty of time to allow for the planning and coordination of the service to be concluded with my office. Where a specific church is not indicated above, please contact the Area Dean of the relevant deanery to identify where the service will be held.
Incumbents should ensure that their registers, forms, certificates and any gifts are in the vestry at least 30 minutes before the start of the service for the officiating bishop to sign. Detailed notes for those hosting or preparing candidates for a confirmation service can be found on the Diocesan website at http://www.leicester.anglican.org/about-usbishop-of-leicester/bishop-of-leicesterbishop-of-leicesterconfirmations/ or from my office.
We will also be holding once again the annual celebration day for all the newly confirmed in the Cathedral on 8 June 2013 starting at 10am. This will provide an opportunity for the Bishops and colleagues to meet with those confirmed in the last year since June 2012, to continue the journey of the faith as we learn, worship and pray together. Throughout this last year all those confirmed should have received an invitation to the event and, nearer the day, Canon Mike Harrison will be announcing plans for the service.
All initial enquiries, including requests for confirmation services, should be made through my Chaplain, Mike Smith. If a service has already been booked with me, to confirm a venue, time or service details, please liaise with the relevant Bishop’s office. In my office please contact my Chaplain, the Revd Mike Smith, on 0116-270-3390 or mike.smith@leccofe.org. For Bishop Christopher, please contact Carol Gibbons on 0116-248-7411 or carol.gibbons@leccofe.org.
With warmest good wishes,
As ever,
+Tim
