Around the diocese, services of confirmation during the last month have offered joyful opportunities for people to affirm their faith, share their stories, and take the next step in their journey with God.
Damien was confirmed by Bishop Peter Fox during a service at St Edward's Church in Castle Donington on Sunday 26 July.
Sharing his testimony and path to this point with family, friends and church community, Damien’s powerful words were:
“A moment of curiosity turned into something I wasn't expecting. I didn’t arrive at this moment through fireworks but through steady searching. I stayed open minded and curious, willing to learn and be changed, and the more I searched the clearer the evidence became to me.
“Night after night I read Scripture, I researched history, I looked up context, I thought deeply about the world around us and the universe that we live in and the best thing I did?
“I prayed, asking God for clarity, wisdom, I asked God to open my heart and my mind to Him. Over time I began to recognise threads of God’s hand woven through my life, moments I hadn’t noticed until I started looking for them.
“I feel like now I see God I can't unsee Him. There is far more I could say about the ways God has been at work and the different paths I explored before believing, but there isn’t time here. If you’d like to hear more or to talk about any of it, my door is always open.
“I’m grateful to God for the patient searching that brought me here, and for the clarity I’ve found along the way. Now I step forward trusting that God will be guiding my way.”
Bishop Saju joined the congregation of Christ the King Church in Beaumont Leys on Sunday 2 August to confirm Anne, Alice, Jo & Kwoklyn.
It was a joyful celebration, as the worshipping community came together to mark this significant step on the four’s journeys of faith.
Sharing their stories and why they wanted to be confirmed, Alice said: “I would like to be confirmed to strengthen my faith more and grow my relationship with God. I love church and post-baptism I have grown closer to God. With Confirmation I can openly and verbally confirm my faith in Christ.”
Jo said: “I experienced church as a child but my family fell away from faith so the regular visits stopped. I’ve always felt a presence but knew I was hearing God’s call in September last year during a time of grief. Since them I have enjoyed embracing my faith with Jesus and after baptism in our chosen church I am looking forward to solidifying my commitment to God and our church family. I feel I have found a place to belong and find peace and comfort knowing God is with me and my loved ones.”
Kwoklyn said: “Having found God only recently and finally finding my place in my church, God has helped me deal with sad news and kept me strong. With God by my side and as I continue on my path, I feel safer, stronger and more positive in what is ahead of me.”
After the service, Bishop Saju joined them to plant a Rose Tree in memory of Father Terrence Byron (1926 - 2026), a lasting tribute to someone who meant so much to the church.
Father Terrence Byron was the Curate in Charge of Beaumont Leys from 1976 to 1985, and the first Vicar from 1985 to 1986. He was responsible for the building of the Ecumenical Church Centre which became Christ the King.
Bishop Saju was pleased to be able to share in the faith stories of those coming to both baptism and confirmation on Sunday 7 August, when he visited St Andrew’s Church in Aylestone.
During the Spirit-filled service, he baptised and confirmed Jack, Adelina and David of St. Andrew’s, alongside confirming Mark from St. Andrew’s, Julie from St. Martin’s Church in Desford, and Philip from St. Mary’s Church in Knighton.
Sharing some of his testimony, confirmation candidate David said: "I want to be confirmed so I can feel closer to Jesus."
After the service, the church community shared lunch at the local pub.
Please pray for all those who have recently been baptised and confirmed in the diocese.