A confirmation service was due to be held in March 2020 but a few days before, the country went into lockdown and the College closed. It has been over a year waiting for a suitable opportunity to hold the service, but on Sunday 25th April 15 candidates from the College and Great Malvern Priory were confirmed by Martin, Bishop of Dudley, in a pared-down, covid safe service at Malvern Priory.
The enforced social distancing and lack of hymns did not detract from what was a simple but very moving and intimate service. Bishop Martin spoke about Jesus being the good shepherd taking care of his sheep from John 10. The candidates made their commitments to grow as Christians and the Bishop laid hands on them and anointed them with oil, praying for the Holy Spirit to be with them in their Christian pilgrimage. The service was live streamed so that family who could not be present were able to watch from their homes. This was the first confirmation where the College had invited teenagers from the Priory to join the confirmation preparation and to hold a joint service. We very much hope to continue this link.