Confirmation StoriesConfirmation 2006 I went to an Anglican secondary school during my teens, I sometimes went to church during that period but I always believed I was in control of my destiny and didn’t pay much attention to God. I didn’t think of the words “God fearing” very often. Then in February this year I miscarried my twins and that’s when the penny dropped. I have discovered that although I was angry with God, he is the only one I can turn to for comfort and truly the only one I can rely on completely. I thank God for my life as I believe that he gave my life back to me in my darkest hour and in my deepest despair. My husband and I both go to church and share the word of God. I am grateful to God that I share this experience with my husband. My belief in God has grown and I believe being baptised and confirmed in church is my way of sealing my covenant with my God. I am grateful to God for my life and thank him profoundly, I don’t grumble when things don’t go my way for there is a reason for whatever God does in our lives and most of the time, it’s for the best. Thank you father for all that I am.
I live on my own, and that is sometimes hard. I wanted to re-affirm my faith so I would feel more secure. The whole course has strengthened my faith. I feel ready for it.
I feel I wanted to be confirmed because I needed to find out more about myself. I have learnt I can be holy in God’s presence and have learnt about intimacy with God. The classes have shown me that I can work in a team and achieve the best I can. I have listened to bible readings and learnt things I didn’t really understand before. I want to give thanks for this opportunity to grow in my faith. My story is about God calling me back to him. I came back to the church, in this case St Eds, in 1997 after a 10 year absence. My youngest son was born at home and rushed to hospital. But I felt God was saying to me that everything would be fine and not to worry. The doctors said I was lucky he was OK. I suddenly realized that although I had ignored God for years, he was always present but I wasn’t listening. It was a shake-up call. I begin looking for a church again and was drawn to St Ed’s because of its mission to the local community. I had another shake-up encounter with God over the ‘Splash’ parish weekend. During prayer ministry I felt the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit and fell to the floor. It wasn’t scary because I felt peaceful and happy. I felt that God was calling me again but this time into a deeper spiritual relationship with Him. I am renewing my vows today because I do want that close walk with God. I started at St Edmund's in the choir in 1963, after attending Sunday School. I was confirmed at 14 years old. I continued to attend St Edmund's after I was married. Looking back to then, I realise I was drifting in my faith, just going through the motions. I had 3 children and now have a grand-daughter, have lost both parents and suffered ill-health and depression. To say I lost my way is an understatement. I have over the last 18 months felt alive and willing to help do God’s work. This is due to God’s presence. My faith has strengthened over the last 2 years, and I am ready.
Lorraine Williams I moved to Dartford nearly 3 years ago not knowing many people, so a neighbour and I went for a walk. Passing the church, there I met Eileen Hedger who showed me round the building. I felt better about myself at that time, so started coming regularly to church and have now joined the choir. I also decided it’s time to be confirmed and to learn more about the faith, which hopefully will help me feel better about myself. Janet Gunner My reason for re-taking my confirmation vows are that I wandered away from the church. When I was young I was over-dosed on church, going morning, noon and night. Then about 2 1/2 years ago, living in a different location, I rediscovered church and my faith, and I have received so much love and understanding. Now I feel it is time to re-take my vows. Elaine Johnson I have decided to renew my baptismal vows as a way of giving thanks to God. My life has taken a new direction since I decided to train for authorised ministry. St Edmund's Church has a new building and are discovering new ways of working within the community of Temple Hill, and I feel that newness has touched my life also. My Christian journey began just 6 years ago when my grandmother died and it feels like I have been on a whirlwind of faith. There are many, many aspects I could share but there is simply not the space to do that. Suffice to say that my life has new meaning. One major thing that has happened to me is that I am now working in a place that has enabled me to expand my ministry. I am excited to be involved in what is happening today and believe this is only the beginning for each and every single one of us. When I look at my little boy, I am filled with so much love and joy. That can only be described as a real gift from God. This leaves me with no doubt that God truly loves us. John Driscoll I used to only attend church once a year, for the service ‘To Remember Loved Ones’, which I have done for the last ten years in memory of my wife Anne. But since my wife’s death I have been going steadily downhill. It seems as if grief had taken over my life and I was no longer coping very well. Two years ago I was attending the service; I realised that I needed help in a big way. I began to pray for help and then something happened, it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted off me. It was a marvellous feeling, my prayer had been answered and I have got my life back. I am now attending church on a regular basis and my life has become enjoyable again. Anne Chapman I want to be nearer to God. To share with Jesus what the disciples shared, the body and the blood. To keep sharing the love and friendship of the church. Jo Porter It was light, it was dark, it was light, it was dark; but God pulled me through Matt Mitchell
I will be getting baptised on the 19th November 2006 and I think that it is the transformation of darkness into light, also I think that it represents the blind man in Mark’s gospel being healed by Jesus. I think that it will be a feeling of lightness on my soul - no burdens or sins to carry around . Kerri-Anne Porter Before coming to this church and starting the confirmation class, our family was not very close. However, after a bereavement our family pulled together and me and my two younger sisters became very close. We decided then to all be baptised together as we had all realised that we needed something more in our lives. We have all come a long way since joining the church, we are a closer family and stronger people. I have developed my faith and found a place I belong. Before this journey I did not go to church but now I could not imagine my life without my new-found faith. Kelly Foot I thought since I’d been baptised I would grow even more in my faith by being confirmed. I’m hoping it will help me understand more about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So now I feel confident to take my vows. Sophie Porter After my auntie died, me and my sisters all decided that we wanted to become Christians, but we never did anything about it. Then one day after school me and Kerri-Anne went to the church and spoke to Sue. She told us there was a confirmation class starting so we decided we were going to take part. At first it was strange being at church with all these people being so kind, yet we didn’t know them. Now I know everyone, I attend church every week and I am ready to begin my journey of being a Christian. The journey so far has been overwhelming and to be honest, I’d now find it hard to live without going to church.
Nicky Earl
I now know that whatever I do God will forgive me especially in the job I am in. I went back to work on the Monday and came down to earth with a bump. But I still knew God was with me in what ever I do now. I have decided to reconfirm my confirmation vows as I now know that God and his Son is with me. I am here as God's servant to serve his people and God will show me a path when he is ready. (you can read the rest of Nicky's story in the Christian Living section of this website).
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