Companions on the Way!
It
doesn't matter how old we are: we all need help, support
and encouragement to follow Jesus
and be a member of his church.
Young people, especially, are under a great deal of
pressure and face many difficulties, and so should be
assured of the support of the Christian
Community of which they are a part. Their Christian
brothers and sisters should be there to provide all
the neccessary encouragement and inspiration they need
along the way.
However, some people
are chosen to have a special role in the support, nurture
and formation of those who are offering themselves for
Baptism and Confirmation.
Sponsors
This
is where sponsors
come in! Sponsors are baptised and committed Christians
who are chosen to have a special role. They should be
regular communicants of the Church
in Wales or of a church in communion
with it. Sponsors of those being confirmed need
not be the same person as the candidate's godparents.
They have a part to
play in the Confirmation Preparation and in life after
Confirmation.
If you have been asked
to be a Sponsor, then you are in a priveleged position.
In the Liturgy
of Admission and Welcome of Candidates for Baptism and
Confirmation, the sponsors are addressed by the
priest:
These
candidates have asked to be baptised and confirmed.
Are you willing to play your part in their preparation
through your prayers, encouragement and good example?
And
they respond: We
are!
And during the Confirmation
Liturgy itself, the candidates stand with their sponsors
in front of the bishop:
a visible reminder of their position - standing alongside
them, giving them support.
Some
of the things you can do as a Sponsor:
- Pray
regularly for the young person before and after
they have been confirmed;
- Encourage them to read the Bible,
worship with the
church and celebrate
the sacraments;
- Be involved as much as possible
in the Confirmation Preparation ;
- Offer them an example of Christian
living by the way you live and participate in the
life of the Church;
- Be aware of the circumstances of
young people in following Jesus, and how strong
peer pressure can be sometimes;
- Be aware of the circumstances of
the young person you are sponsoring.
A
Prayer for Sponsors to use:
Heavenly
Father,
by
the power of your Holy Spirit
you
give to your faithful people
new
life in the water of baptism:
guide
and strengthen N. by the same
Spirit,
that
he/she may serve you in faith and love
and
grow into the full stature of your Son Jesus Christ,
who
is alve and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one
God, now and for ever. Amen.
