June 25 2010
News from Canterbury Diocese
For immediate use

Bishop of Dover to confirms adults and children at Dover Castle

The Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott confirmed over 20 people at a special service on Thursday evening (June 24th) at St Mary in Castro, the Anglican Church situated in the grounds of Dover Castle.

The confirmation service, which was the first Bishop Trevor has celebrated in the town since he became Bishop of Dover in February, saw 14 adults and eight children from churches across the town being confirmed by the symbolic 'laying on of hands' by the Bishop.

Local mum Sharon Pilcher and her two children Amy and Keiron who attend Dover Charlton, St Peter and St Paul's Church were among those who were confirmed. Before the service, Mrs Pilcher explained why she had chosen to become confirmed: "I started to come to St Peter and St Paul's Church last year and my faith and the Church helped me with the loss of a dear family member. Confirming my faith will help me become closer to God."

Ben Rushton, 20 years who started attending Dover Charlton church with his girlfriend, said: "At first I had not given much thought to God but coming to church made me think more deeply about God and Jesus and his plan for me. By coming to be confirmed I feel that I am making a vital step in my Christian life by learning more about Jesus."

During his address at the church, Bishop Trevor said: "The Christian faith is not about books or arguments, or what we wear or do, but relationships. God's invitation to us, his people, is to draw closer in that relationship and to know ourselves to be his children. It is to do that work which he instructs us to do in his name."

The Bishop offered some advice to those attending the service: "Don't become "churchey" people … you will find the way to Christ by letting him work in you and being the person he has made you to be."

Over 200 people attended the service, which along with friends and family members of the confirmation candidates included priests from ten churches in the Dover Deanery.

St Mary in Castro, a restored Saxon church, serves the local population and the army and is the church of the Dover Garrison.

Ends

Photos:
1. l-r Charlton Church confirmation candidates Amy Bacmeister, Bronte Hirst, Vikki Uden, Ben Rushton; Bp Trevor and Charlton parish priest Fr Colin Johnson
2. l-r Bp Trevor with Charlton Church confirmation candidates Vicki Uden, Ben Rushton, Amy Pilcher, Sharon Pilcher and Kieron Pilcher
3.Bp Trevor at the door of St Mary in Castro, Dover Castle

Notes:
The confirmation service in the Church of England enables a baptised person to confirm the promises made on their behalf at baptism. It is also a sign of full membership to the Christian community. The sacrament of confirmation is conferred through the laying of hands by the Bishop.

Further information: Emily Shepherd, Director of Communications, Canterbury Diocese, 07876 210 446