Saying "Yes" to Faith
On the first Sunday of May, the Duane Nichols Memorial Confirmation Class of 2007 said
"yes" to faith in Jesus Christ and membership in our church. The
eight Confirmands represented the largest class in years.
Confirmation is a rite of our church when we affirm those vows that
were given to us while we were infants at our Baptisms. While we
were then too young to answer for our selves, those promises are
renewed once we become adults. By our tradition, and English
Common Law, that time is when a child reaches 12 to 14 years of age.
The ritual has become an important rite of passage to adulthood.
I have always liked to say to the confirmands that this will be
(hopefully) the first adult decision of their lives. In
childhood, those who have responsibility for our welfare make decisions
for us. But in adulthood we take on that task for ourselves.
No one can make the choice for or against faith on behalf of
another. This is a moment when we stand before God, alone.
The class meets from September until the first Sunday in May.
This past year the subjects covered included the meaning of the
church calendar, beginning with Advent. By using the church
holy days as a guide, the youth were introduced to the trajectory of
Jesus' life, death, and ressurection. A successful candidate for
Confirmation will have attended 15 worship sevices, completed two
service projects,and memorized the Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer,
and The Apostle's Creed.
This year Ms. Eileen McFadden assisted me in the teaching of the class.
The class was named after the late Duane L. Nichols, grandfather of
Nicole Guza, a member of the class. Mr. Nichols was a long-time
member of our church. Our church is grateful for the financial
underwriting for the class by the Nichols family and an additional gift
from the Alexander family.
In this year's class were Zachary Alexander, Betsy Christensen, Louie
Christensen, Lynn Christianson, Katherine Garrett, Nicole Guza, Leah
Rendflesh, and Ryan Michael Sheel.
Prayer: Our God our Creator; we give you thanks
for these young people who have committed themselves to your cause.
May faith burn within them and give their souls both energy and
light.
In our Lord's name we pray. Amen