Preparation for the rites to affirm one’s faith vary from parish to parish, ranging from one-on-one discussions with a priest to participation in a group study. Normally the preparation includes learning more about the basic beliefs of the Christian faith as well as examining how one’s faith is expressed in daily life. Candidates for confirmation can ask any questions they may have about the Christian faith and the Anglican church.
It’s the privilege of parishes to prepare candidates for confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation. To help you with that, here’s some confirmation curricula to consider. Four main criteria were used to make the selection:
So let’s get to it.
Transforming Questions (video-based course)
This is a course for those exploring faith and especially adults preparing for baptism, confirmation, reception into the Anglican Church, or reaffirmation of baptismal vows. In 11 sessions, we seek to move deeper by engaging in some of faith’s most basic questions: Who is Jesus? How should we read the Bible? Why is there suffering? Participants gather for prayer, watch a video presentation, and then join in small-group discussion. Through listening and sharing, all will wrestle with these foundational questions in each other's company. As we do so, we will learn more about ourselves, one another, and the Jesus we are seeking.
Time: 11 sessions (60-75 minutes each). Selected sessions can be used too.
Cost: Free
Download: The whole playlist is available on the diocesan Youtube channel
My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church (book)
Perhaps one of the most popular resources for Anglican confirmation classes south of the border. In a lively style and with discussion questions for each section, Jennifer Gamber has written this book to cover the core topics of Anglican worship, scripture, prayer, the sacraments, and church history. Despite the title, it’s not just for teens – this could work for adult confirmation preparation as well. Some adaptation will be needed for a Canadian Anglican context. Kingsley Blair, youth minister at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale, has done work on this and you can contact her at: kingsley@stmaryskerrisdale.ca
Time: 6-10 sessions
Cost: $15.00/youth copy. Leader’s edition for $20.00 (USD)
Order: https://www.amazon.ca/My-Faith-Life-Episcopal-Church/dp/0819222208
To Love and Serve: Anglican Beliefs and Practices (book)
A comprehensive introduction to the beliefs and practices of the Anglican Church of Canada. The book covers core topics such as: baptism, eucharist, scripture, prayer, the Trinity, church structure, etc. Each chapter comes with discussion questions to foster small groups in their growth and learning. The book is a Canadian edition of the popular Walk in Love published by Forward Movement. Download an excerpt with table of contents and sample chapter here. An online version is also available on Amazon Kindle.
Time: up to users; chapters can be selected according to leader/groups
Cost: 29.95/book (CAD)
Order: anglican.gilmore.ca
I Will, with God’s Help
Another American Episcopalian resource that gets solid reviews. The foundation of the program is the Baptismal Covenant and it includes units on Anglican heritage, prayer, and worship. One of the nice parts is that it has a process and resource for mentors to accompany youth on their journey to confirmation. Relationships with caring adults outside of the family is one of the key factors in healthy and successful youth development. The program is book based and, again, can be used for adult confirmation as well. The hardest part will be finding the equivalent references from the Book of Common Prayer in our Book of Alternative Services.
Time: 6-12 sessions
Cost: $25.00 for the leader’s guide, $9.00 for the youth or adult journal, $9.00 for the mentor’s guide. (USD)
Order: https://www.churchpublishing.org/products/iwillwithgodshelpleadersguide
Re:form Core (video-based)
Short, funny, animated films about a relevant question from the Christian faith make this program attractive and accessible to many youth. The format of each session follows a similar pattern: video, and individual and group activities such as doodling and discussion with the help of a leader guide and youth “anti”-workbook. There are 40 sessions, so it could run longer than other confirmation programs, but they could be edited down and combined. N.b. it is produced by the publishing arm of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). The Anglican Church of Canada is in full communion with the ELCIC (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), the sister church of the ELCA. The adult equivalent to Re:form is Animate. Check it out here: https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/store/category/286832/Animate
Time: there are 40 sessions, but can be customized to context
Cost: 70$ for DVD set, $20 for youth workbooks, 40$ for leader guide (USD)
Order: https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/store/category/286822/re-form-Core
Confirm not Conform (curricula)
A program that takes seriously many teenagers’ developmental need to ask searching questions, make choices, and take responsibility for their beliefs and actions. It’s on the longish end, with twenty 60-90 minute sessions and a bit pricier but with a sliding scale for parish size. The session outlines are very clearly laid out and include prayer practices and other activities to balance out discussion. It also includes a mentoring program, a retreat plan, and, in addition to units on the Christian basics of worship, scripture, tradition, and prayer, it includes units on justice and other faith traditions.
Time: 20 sessions but could be adapted or shortened
Cost: a sliding scale - from $300 for parishes with less than 100 ASA to $500 for parishes with more than 300 ASA (Average Sunday attendance). It’s a one-time licensing fee though, so it can be used year after year.
Order: For youth: http://www.confirmnotconform.com/cnc-youth-episcopal / For adults http://www.confirmnotconform.com/cnc-adults
Practicalities
Certificates for Confirmation and Reception can be downloaded and printed on card stock from the national church website or ordered by contacting the Diocesan Office
If so, contact your local Priest to ask about Confirmation preparation classes.