Confirmation is not a destination. It is more of a way station, a place where we renew our commitment to the journey we have been traveling under the care of others. Confirmation is an important marker along our spiritual journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Confirmation is not a sacrament in The United Methodist Church, but it is an important step in our spiritual journeys. Below are some common questions and you are invited to open a conversation with the Chapel about your personal journey.
Many lifelong United Methodists have fond memories of their confirmation class. Sometime during adolescence, they met with a group of their peers, some adult leaders, and their pastor. They may have gathered weekly in the church basement, during a youth Sunday school class, or maybe for a weekend retreat at a campground.
When the classes were complete, they then stood before their congregation, where the pastor and others put their hands on them while a blessing was said. Some then received a special lunch or a gift from their church.
During the Confirmation Service Pastors sometimes invite family members to participate in the laying on of hands, a symbol of their continued support of the faith journey of their children. Pastors may invite family members and others to participate in confirmation, a symbol of their continued support of the youth’s faith journey.
Although confirmation is not a sacrament in The United Methodist Church, it is an important marker along our spiritual journeys.
At baptism, we are initiated into the new covenant in Jesus Christ and membership in the Church, Christ’s body in the world. For many, this happens when they are very young.
We recognize children are members of their human families, but no one expects them to clean their rooms or empty the dishwasher until much later. In the same way, “baptized infants are members of the Church—the family of faith—but are not yet capable of sharing everything involved in membership,” By Water and the Spirit, The United Methodist Church’s official statement on baptism, teaches.
Confirmation is an opportunity to respond to the grace of God available to us, as acknowledged in baptism, and to promise to live as a person of faith. “What God offers us must be accepted in repentance and faith,” This Is Your Baptismal Liturgy states. “Confirmation and reaffirmation are our responses of commitment, profession of faith, and rededication.”
Parents and church leaders often ask what age is most appropriate for young people to participate in confirmation. The issue is not so much about a chronological age, but rather about one’s readiness to assume the vows of professing membership.
“When you think about what’s required to live out these vows with integrity,” Burton-Edwards says, “it requires a measure of adult agency.” At what age that happens varies among individuals and cultures.
“If you look at the earliest point at which we give adult responsibilities,” Burton-Edwards explains of the culture in the U.S., “it’s the driver’s license.” This might indicate that a good time for people in the U.S. to consider confirmation is about the age of 16. For others it might be sooner.
The ability to live into the vows is the key determining factor, not a particular birthday.
“Confirmation includes three aspects,” This Is Your Baptismal Liturgy summarizes. “a) God confirms the divine promise to those who were too young to grasp what God was doing in their baptism, b) they respond by professing their own acceptance of the grace they have received and their own faith in Christ, c) the Church, as represented by this congregation, confirms the commitments they make.”
Confirmation is not a destination. It is more of a way station, a place where we renew our commitment to the journey we have been traveling under the care of others.
“It is the first time that persons publically declare their intention to live out the vows of the baptismal covenant,” Burton-Edwards teaches. “It is not intended to be the last time. It’s just that confirmation is the label we put on the first time.”
It is also a time for a congregation to celebrate their young people’s commitment to “live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ,” and to renew their commitment to do the same.
Because confirmation is so closely linked to baptism, the order for the service is contained within Baptismal Covenant I in the front of The United Methodist Hymnal.
The intent is to remember that you are baptized. “It is not the particular event that you are remembering,” clarifies the Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards, director of worship resources with Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church. “It is what has happened to you because of it—what God has done in you—that matters.
Typically, the confirmand then kneels before the pastor who, along with parents, sponsors, and others, lays hands on her head. The pastor speaks words that are nearly identical to those said during the laying on of hands following baptism, “The Holy Spirit work within you that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Finally, confirmands are asked to take the same vows of membership in The United Methodist Church and their local congregation that all who join are asked to take the vows below:
About Our Church
Walker Chapel is a United Methodist Church located in Arlington, VA. We are a group of people passionate about Jesus, closely studying his word, and gathering with his people. We’re an open, intentional place where you can get to know God in a real way.
We meet together every Sunday at 10:30 for worship, and we have something for everyone! We’re hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are committed to studying his word and learning to love our world better each day. we invite you to join us as we do so. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, or what you’ve been through, Jesus sees you and cares for you, and we want to do the same. Whether you’ve been a Christian for decades or are just interested in what our faith is all about, we’ll paint a clear picture of who Jesus is and why we worship him here at Walker Chapel.
When you give us a call, you’ll be connected with one of our friendly staff who can pray for you or answer any questions you may have.
Please stop by our Church on Sunday! We look forward to meeting you!
Our Sunday church worship takes place at 10:30 AM every Sunday.
Everybody is welcome.
Please feel free to stop by our welcoming church this Sunday. We look forward to meeting you!
Walker Chapel is located at 4102 N. Glebe Rd in Arlington, VA.
Please stop by and see us on Sunday. We look forward to meeting you!
Walker Chapel United Methodist Church is a United Methodist Church.
As described on umc.org United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, we share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:
Our Christian Beliefs: God
God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons. Read More
Our Christian Beliefs: Jesus
Our church believes in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus of Nazareth; and his life, death and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love.
Our Christian Beliefs: The Holy Spirit
Our church believes The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work.
Our Christian Beliefs: Human Beings
Genesis 1:27 asserts that we've been made in the image of the Creator. Like God we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create.
Our Christian Beliefs: The Church
The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today.
Our Christian Beliefs: The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
Our Christian Beliefs: God’s Reign
The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.
We encourage you to come as you are and to bring your family, friends, and neighbors. We have always been gathering place that first started in peoples homes. Most will come informally, in business casual but some will also come in suits and fancy hats. Its sort of fun to see the mix.
We enjoy our Chancel Choir, which is open to all. All join in for traditional and contemporary hymns, songs, and carols with highlight performances from individuals and the choirs. With the example of Charles Wesley, Methodist churches are always filled with wonderful voices singing in harmony.
We still call ourselves a Chapel because it represents the close friendships that grow in a small church. Here everyone knows and cares about everyone. We don’t always agree and that gives spice to life, but we are always bound by love for each other.
The message is thought provoking and inspirational. It will cause you to pause during the week and say, “game changer!”
There is always something to do from working your brain to straining your muscles. We are small and do a lot for ourselves and others.
Handicap parking is at the start of the lot nearest the door. The chapel is accessible from the parking lot just to the right of the steps by a break in the sidewalk that leads to a gentle ramp leading into the lower level Fellowship Hall. At the base of the ramp to the left there is a self-operated elevator to the Sanctuary level that will hold up to three people at a time.
Come down Glebe Road towards the chapel and you will see a driveway just after the white signs at the front. Turn in and park going down the driveway or in the larger main parking lot a short distance down. On Sunday the first dozen spots are for handicap access.
We give of ourselves, we give our time, and we give money because without the grease of money, none of the wheels turn. There is no rule, no guidance, no examples, no right or wrong for how much to give other than all gifts should be freely given. Gifts come from the heart and something we do because we want to not because we have to or should.