Smart Thoughts

             Confirmation is one of those words United Methodists use that can cause some confusion. A part of the confusion comes because we use that word to describe two different things. Confirmation is used as the name of an educational process, and it is used to describe a very important ritual in our church.

             The word confirmation literally means “with firm-ness.” Confirmation means to make firm or solid what has gone before–what our parents, families, church, and God have done previously. Confirmation is a term that is used by churches who are called “pedobaptist”–those who baptize infants. When an infant is baptized the parents and the church promise to be faithful in teaching that child what it means to be a Christian. In confirmation the child who now is ole enough makes firm what his or her parents started.

             So than our youth might make a decision that can result in passionate commitment, we offer the educational process we also call confirmation. At the end of the eight weeks of learning, the youth then have the opportunity to make their won decision, their own profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

             While many youth who have grown up in the United Methodist tradition and others may have been baptized as infants, there are other youth for which that is not the case. These youth who have not been baptized are also offered the opportunity to learn more about the Christian faith though through the confirmation classes.

             We will begin the confirmation classes with an orientation meeting for youth, parents and mentors that will be held on September 28 at 4:00 pm Youth who are in the 6^th grade and above will best be able to understand the curriculum. The young people participating in these classes will have opportunities to work with their parents, a mentor and their pastor. During our orientation we will determine the times that will work best for the 8 sessions that follow. Unless there are problems wi will most likely meet on Sunday afternoons during the following 8 weeks.

             If you are interested in participating in the confirmation classes, please contact me. Again students in the 6^th grade and higher that are interested in learning more about the Christian faith are ideal candidates.

             We have also scheduled a Great Day of Joining for Sunday, September 21. This day has been set aside for those who would like to become members of our congregations. We have several families who have made the Early church their church home, but have not made it “official.” This day will be an opportunity to make the decision to become members. My hope and prayer is that there will be several families that will make this decision. This also means that these families will not have to take this step by themselves. They will be in good company as they all come together. Please prayerfully consider making the Great Day of Joining a great day for our congregations. This is a 3^rd Sunday and the church council of the Early church has agreed to offer free barbeque meals to those people who chose to become members on the Great Day of Joining. It would be nice to know who plans on making this commitment ahead of time, but it is not essential.

Blessings,