Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives. It is a first step we take in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful and unrepeatable moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, make some serious promises, and declare our faith.

Baptism occurs in the context of the worshipping Christian community as the newly baptised are welcomed in the life and faith of the church. Unless absolutely necessary, baptism services are thus not conducted individually at private ceremonies.

The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit, as Jesus was at his baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there is a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptised walks in that light for the rest of their lives. (Adapted from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England 2000.)

St John’s schedules a Service of Confirmation each year, pending availability of the Bishop. We welcome expressions of interest at any time. Candidates must have been baptised, or may be baptised and confirmed at the same time. Although the majority of confirmees are aged 12-16 years, we also warmly welcome adults.

The most recent Service of Confirmation was
Sunday 26 November 2023

The next Service of Confirmation will be held at 10am on
Sunday 13 October 2024
with our regional bishop,
The Rt. Revd Genieve Blackwell,
Bishop of Marmingatha Episcopate. 

Normally there are between four and six preparation sessions of approximately 90 minutes each.

To find out more or register your interest,
please contact the Assistant Curate, The Revd Lydia Thangadurai, at
curate@saintjohnstoorak.org

Confirmation Preparation

In confirmation those who have been previously baptised come to confirm their baptismal promises and join with the other candidates to receive the laying on of the bishop’s hand with prayer. All who have been baptised and confirmed are called to study the Bible, to take part in the life of the Church, to share in the Holy Communion, and to pray faithfully and regularly. We are called to share with others, by word and example, the love of Christ and his gospel of reconciliation and hope. We are called to love our neighbours as ourselves, to honour all people and to pray and work for peace and justice. from A Prayer Book for Australia 1995.