The Confirmation Service 2011

On the evening of Sunday 20th November, the Rt. Revd. Richard Blackburn, the Bishop of Warrington, presided over a confirmation service at St. John’s Church, Birkdale. Candidates and their supporters from St. James', Birkdale and St. John's, Ainsdale joined those from our own church for the service.


In addition to preaching, confirming the 18 candidates and exhorting the whole congregation to support them, Bishop Richard gathered the candidates around the font at the back of the church. He did this in order to remind us all of the significance of our baptism. He then enlivened the service by sprinkling, or rather drenching, the candidates (and anybody else who came within his range as he processed back to the front of the church) with water from the font!

The service ended with the Bishop giving each candidate a lighted candle before sending them out with the words:




God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness
And has given us a place with the Saints in light

You have received the light of Christ;
Walk in this light all the days of your life.

To which the congregation responded:

     Shine as a light in the world

     To the Glory of God the Father.

At the end of the service the candidates processed with the Bishop to the back of the Church.

Following the service everybody adjourned to the Church hall where a fantastic team provided delicious food and much welcome cups of tea and coffee.

Bishop Richard mingled with everybody chatting, signing and posing for photographs.

Nearly everybody felt that the service had been an inspiring and up lifting experience.

Our thanks go not only to Bishop Richard but also to Joyce, who, not only prepared our large and lively group of candidates for their confirmation (with welcome help from Michelle) but was also instrumental in organising the refreshments and assisting the Church Wardens to plan the service.