Confirmation at St. Peter’s

The Next Step in Belonging

You’ve been worshiping with us, finding your rhythm—maybe you’ve been coming for days, months, or even years. You might have joined a small group or bible study, volunteered at an outreach event, or simply found joy in attending weekly services. And yet, you may not have taken the step of being confirmed in the Episcopal Church.

If that’s you, you’re not alone. Many people come to St. Peter’s from different Christian traditions—or return to church life after a long break—and wonder if Confirmation is the right next step. This page is here to help you understand what Confirmation is, why it matters, and how you can be part of this joyful milestone in your journey of faith.

What is Confirmation?

In the Episcopal Church, Confirmation is a sacramental rite in which a baptized Christian makes a public affirmation of their faith. The bishop prays for the strengthening of the Holy Spirit and lays hands on the candidate.

It is a powerful act of saying “yes”:

  • Yes, to following Jesus.

  • Yes, to being part of the Episcopal Church.

  • Yes, to allowing your faith to shape daily life.

While baptism is full initiation into the body of Christ, Confirmation is about ownership—claiming your baptismal promises for yourself as an adult and stepping into the fullness of life in the Church.

You May Not Need to be Confirmed If…

Not everyone needs to be confirmed. If:

  • You’ve been confirmed in another denomination with apostolic succession (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or some Lutherans). If this applies to you, you’ll want to look at our page on Reception.

  • You’ve been baptized/confirmed as a Christian and wish to renew your faith— perhaps after a spiritual change, or time away from the church. In this case, you would make a Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows. This is very similar to confirmation and the process is essentially the same, with just a few differences in the forms that are read during the ceremony.

Not sure which path is right for you? Don’t worry—our clergy will walk with you to discern the best option.

Why Confirmation — Especially as an Adult?

Many people assume Confirmation is just for teenagers. While we so prepare teens at St. Peter’s, we also see adult confirmation as one of the most meaningful expressions of faith. Here’s why:

  • Deepen Your Roots – Confirmation connects your story to the larger story of the Church. It gives your faith a home.

  • Claim Your Voice – You’ll publicly affirm the Baptismal Covenant, a set of promises that guide how Episcopalians live as followers of Jesus.

  • Officially Join the Church Family – Through the bishop’s hands, you’re connected not just to St. Peter’s but to the worldwide Anglican Communion.

  • Mark a Sacred Moment – Many adults choose confirmation to celebrate new beginnings: marriage, a move, recovery, or simply a season of renewal.

How Confirmation Works

So, how does all this work?

  1. Talk to Us: The first step is to let us know you’re interested.

  2. Preparation: We’ll help get you set up with a sponsor, and arrange times for your preparation/study meetings. Some years all confirmands (those getting confirmed) study together in a group; others, you’ll study on a one-on-one basis — it depends on how many confirmands we have.

  3. Study: During your study meetings, you’ll discuss many different aspects of the Episcopal Church, including—

    1. The Episcopal way of worship and belief

    2. The sacraments and why they matter

    3. The rhythm of the Church year

    4. The mission of the Church in the world

  4. Getting Confirmed!: When you’re ready, you’ll be confirmed by the bishop. (The bishop usually visits St. Peter’s in May or June.)

FAQs

  • We all can feel this way sometimes. The good new is, none of us ever “knows enough.” We believe faith is a journey, not a test. And preparation for confirmation at St. Peter’s is about learning together, not memorizing facts and figures. But if you’re really concerned, make sure to talk with one of our clergy (or your sponsor, if you already have one). They’ll be more than happy to help allay your fears.

  • At St. Peter’s, we believe that doubt is not the opposite of faith—it’s often a doorway to deeper trust. So bring your questions, concerns, and yes— doubts. God can handle them, and so can we.

  • You may not need confirmation again. If you were confirmed in a church with apostolic succession (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and some Lutheran denominations), you’ll likely be received rather than confirmed. If you were confirmed in another denomination (one without bishops), or you want to mark a new chapter in your faith journey, reaffirmation may be the right choice for you.

  • Not true! While many of us think of young kids in white poofy dresses and dapper little suits, candidates are often adults of all ages. Some were baptized as infants and now want to claim their faith personally. Others are choosing confirmation after retirement. It’s never too late to draw closer to God.

  • We hear you. Life is not only full, it’s often full of surprises. Thankfully, our preparation series is flexible. If you’re meeting in a small group, we work to make sure the time fits everyone’s schedule. Plus, if you miss a group session, we’ll help you catch up.

  • Nope! Confirmation is totally optional, and we want you to feel at home here no matter what you choose. Sometimes people will take the confirmation classes and decided it’s not for them — and that’s okay! Sometimes people take the classes just to learn more about the church, and don’t really want to get confirmed — and that’s okay, too! Confirmation is very personal choice, never a requirement.

Ready to get started?

Use this form to let us know you’re interested in learning more about Confirmation.