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Dear St. Lukers,
When I was in seventh grade, I went through Confirmation classes at my home church. Depending on what denomination you grew up in, or if you didn’t grow up in church, Confirmation may have been a major rite of passage, it may not even have been part of your tradition, or anything in between. I remember it being an important milestone in my faith life, but I only remember the classes being in a bare cinderblock room, sitting at a table facing my pastor, who had a list of Bible verses for us to memorize. I’m sure my memory is far from complete in all that my pastor taught us, but needless to say, it was not the most memorable faith milestone in my life.
What I do remember, however, is my confirmation mentor who took me to lunch every week and talked about her faith. She asked me about my life, my hopes and dreams, and really truly got to know me. I also remember all of my faith family - the adults of my church - who showed up with cards and gifts, who shared how proud they were of me, and enthusiastically spoke their vows of support during my confirmation service. And really, they showed up for far more than confirmation. Even if my pastor’s classes had been the most riveting experiences, I still think what I would remember about confirmation would be the rest of the adults who showed up for me then, among so many other times in my life.
This Sunday, we will confirm 17 young people who have spent the last few months learning more about their faith, our traditions, our practices, and considering their own beliefs and convictions. Their experience has taken them far beyond a bare cinderblock room...
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