This week, six middle and high school students will affirm their baptisms. Commonly known as “Confirmation Sunday,” these students have wondered, questioned, explored, and embraced the many elements of faith. Piper, Eloise, Braxton, Lily, Claire, and Erick are ready to assume the promises of their baptisms for themselves, the first of many thresholds they will cross in the years to come.
Some of the students have been nurtured in faith since they were baptized here at Central over 10 years ago. Some of them are brand new to faith, recently choosing to come to church on their own to better understand who God is, what Jesus’ life meant, and how the Holy Spirit lives in every one of us.
The students’ faith statements tell the unique stories of each student’s faith journey. All of them name important people in their lives, places in which they have seen God, and gratitude for a church community that cares about them and the world God made. Each student speaks of an experience at Central that assures them that they are loved and known. Each student understands themselves as an integral member of this church.
In John’s Gospel this week, we will read about Jesus’ bold claim of a new commandment. In our reading that follows Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, he gathers his friends and says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
What could be a better message to send on Confirmation Sunday? As these students confess their faith and make promises to love God and work for justice and peace, we celebrate. We continue to nurture their lives until, someday soon, they feel ready to go out and live lives of faith wherever the Spirit leads them.
See you in church,
Pastor Stephanie