Anglican Bishop Laish Boyd, center, with the candidates who received the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation. Also pictured is Father Michael Gittens, left, rector, Church of Ascension and Fr. Earl Hepburn, right, assisting parish prist. (Photo: Derek Carroll)

Twelve young adults were reminded that they are special to God and that they were made in a unique way by Anglican Bishop Laish Boyd as they were administered the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation at the Parish Church of the Ascension.

Boyd told the confirmed that there is no one else anywhere that has exactly the same characteristics as they do, and that as humans, they are placed in an environment where they are nurtured by their parents for longer periods than any other animal life forms on the planet. He told them their lives are fashioned by the influence of the adults around them.

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the church and persons who are presented for confirmation must express a "mature commitment to Christ; receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer, and the laying on of hands by the bishop.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this sacrament, each candidate is sealed with the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit which strengthens them in their Christian life. The spiritual gifts are -- spirit of wisdom and understanding; counsel (right judgement); inward strength (courage); knowledge and true godliness (reverence); and the spirit of holy fear (awe and wonder in God's presence).

To be confirmed young adults must have first been baptized, sufficiently instructed in the Christian faith; penitent for their sins, ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and strengthened by his grace, to live their lives in accordance with His will.

Support for the newly confirmed also comes from their parents whose job it is to provide protection and guidance until the young people reach the age of maturity. The roles of the church and the wider community are to strengthen and provide support through the way they live, exerting a positive influence and contributing to the concept that it takes an entire "village" to raise a child.

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