The service was enriched by the Chapel Choir’s moving performance of The Lord Bless You and Keep You, a beautiful anthem composed by Sir John Rutter and conducted by our Director of Music, Mr Paul Johnson-Hyde. Readings were delivered by the Head, Mr Mark Lascelles, and the Assistant Chaplain, Mrs Rebecca Catterall, adding to the significance of the occasion.
What it means to be Christian in today’s world
In the months leading up to their confirmation, the candidates met weekly with the Senior Chaplain in small, supportive groups to explore what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. Together, they discussed faith, the nature of God, and the impact of Jesus’ message of love.
Reflecting on the preparation, Canon Andrew said: “At its heart, the Christian message is simple – we are called to love God and love our neighbour. Through these sessions, we explored how to respond to this call in a meaningful way. One of our key aims was to encourage the pupils to ask questions, challenge ideas, and not settle for easy or superficial answers. And of course, we had a lot of fun along the way!”
Before the service, the candidates and their families gathered for a buffet supper in Big School, joined by the Bishop and key staff. This provided a moment of shared celebration before the special occasion.
Service marks not an end, but a beginning
Looking ahead, Canon Andrew emphasised that this service marks not an end, but a beginning: “This joyful occasion is just the start of their journey of faith. The Chaplaincy Team remains here to support and walk alongside them as they continue to explore and deepen their understanding.”
At the close of the service, the Bishop encouraged others to consider Confirmation, saying with a smile, “Recruitment for next year starts now!” Anyone – pupil or adult – who is interested is warmly invited to speak with Canon Andrew or their local parish priest.
A journey of exploration
The Confirmation preparation was designed as a gentle and open exploration of faith, held in small friendship groups at times that suited the pupils. Over the weeks, they covered key aspects of Christian belief, including:
- What Confirmation means
- Why we believe in God
- The significance of Jesus
- The power of prayer
- How the Bible speaks to us today
- The Holy Spirit and the Sacraments
- The role of the Church and Christian traditions
- Wrestling with big questions, such as the problem of suffering
Each candidate received The Confirmation Notebook by Hugh Montefiore, using it as a guide while also bringing their own questions to the table. Sessions were relaxed, with plenty of conversation, thoughtful discussion – and, of course, biscuits!
Through Confirmation, these young people have become full members of the worldwide Christian Church within the Anglican tradition. More than that, they have embarked on a lifelong journey of discovering faith in a way that is meaningful to them as young adults in the 21st century.
