SAINT MATTHEW'S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
36 NEW CANAAN RD
WILTON, CT 06897
ADULT RECEPTION and REAFFIRMATION
WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?
Confirmation is a sacramental rite the Episcopal Church. It is an informed profession of the faith that may be made by teenagers (8th grade or older) or adults who have been previously baptized. To be Confirmed is to outwardly proclaim your choice of the Episcopal faith and tradition. It involves the laying-on-of-hands upon the head of the individual Confirmand by the bishop with words that the Lord will “empower you for service and sustain you all the days of your life.” Youth and adults who are interested in being confirmed should speak to the clergy about preparation which often involves attending formation classes such as Bible study, an Inquirer’s Class, Education for Ministry (EfM), or any forum regarding Episcopal ethos.
As an adult who has already been confirmed, you may wish to speak to Interim Rector, the Rev John Branson about any of the below ways to affirm your faith with The Episcopal Church.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE "RECEIVED" INTO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH?
If you have been Confirmed (made a mature public affirmation of your faith) in another liturgical tradition (such as Roman Catholic or Lutheran) you are received into the church rather than confirmed. The bishop acknowledges your prior status with the following words, “We recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion.” The term “catholic” noted here as well as in the Nicene Creed we say on Sundays is not related to the Roman Catholic Church. In the case of “catholic” (lower case “c”), the meaning of the original Greek word is simply “universal.” We believe that no Christian denomination has any unique or special claim to Jesus Christ. “One holy catholic and apostolic church” refers to all of Christianity.
WHAT IS REAFFIRMATION?
Episcopalians who have already been confirmed in the Episcopal Church but may have only a dim memory of their confirmation or have returned after a long absence may wish to reaffirm or renew their faith. This service is incorporated in the overall Confirmation rite with the bishop praying that “the Holy Spirit, who has begun good work in you, may direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom.”
WHY THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH?
We believe that God speaks to people in a variety of ways and that no one expression of this faith is “right.” For Episcopalians, we believe in the use of scripture, tradition, and reason to create a stable and balanced foundation for faith and decision-making. The Episcopal Church is a sacramental and liturgical form of Christianity that respects the ancient nature of the church yet allows room for a prayerful discussion of theology.
WHAT IS A LETTER OF TRANSFER?
If you are a member of another Episcopal parish and would like to transfer your membership to St. Matthew’s, please contact the parish office to let us know. We have a special form we send to your former parish that “transfers” your membership to St. Matthew’s.