After a bit of dithering, I decided to go forward for Confirmation in a formal service in the Church of England. One reason for my dithering was that it seemed like a formal joining of myself to the Church of England, an organisation with which I sometimes find myself in disagreement. The decision weas made a bit easier for me by the resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury. He was to my mind too vocal on political issues which were in a very grey moral area. So many political decisions are a balance between what is good for some people against what is good for others. There is very rarely an absolute right and wrong between which to decide. I also believe that the main purpose of a church is to spread the gospel and nurture believers to strengthen their faith and jointly to bring good into the world. If the church succeeds in this, then there will be enough people of goodwill to make the right political decisions. Much better than telling people which decisions one thinks right and wrong.
So what did Confirmation entail? There were a group of half a dozen of us from the Benefice of Brownsover, Clifton and Newton who wanted to go forward for Confirmation in Coventry Cathedral on November 23rd. In preparation, we had two evening sessions with our vicar on Christian “basics” – what we needed to believe and say we believed in order to be confirmed.
The Confirmation Service itself was conducted in Coventry Cathedral on Saturday 23rd November by Ruth, acting Bishop of Coventry. This was my first visit to the Cathedral and I was really quite impressed. It has a lot of merit as a building. I well remember the controversy it aroused when it was opened (that dates me). I can’t remember the detail after all this time, but I do remember the criticism of the huge tapestry of Jesus Christ. I concur that the portrayal of the bottom of his garment is very awkward, but it is otherwise quite good.
We started with a “rehearsal” at 2:00, which was running through where we stand when and where we move to at different stages. In all, I think there were about 25 people being Confirmed, and one also being baptised. All ages and races, and especially good to see young people there as well as a few oldies like myself.
After rehearsal was tea, biscuits and a chat before the service itself started at 4:00. I was very pleased to be accompanied by my partner Lyn and to be able to introduce her to our vicar and a few other people. This was the first time that she had met them.
Bishop Ruth had been dressed casually before, but put on all her finery for the service. The Cathedral Choir was there and sang for us before the service started as well as during the service. At a later date, I will attach the details of the service to this post. For now, let me say that I found the service very moving and highly emotional. I was really glad that I had decided to go forward to make this public declaration of faith.