Dear Beloved,

Thank you for your prayers for children and teens near and far. We are approaching a special time in the life of the congregation – the time when we will be part of the rite of confirmation with the students who have participated in the confirmation journey during the school year. This year is extra special because the students who were not able to be confirmed during the sheltering-in-place time, will also be confirmed.

Throughout the confirmation journey experience, the students meet monthly with a mentor and monthly with each other to explore the bigness and wonder of God. They are also invited to ponder the following questions. I share them with you below in case you’d like to ponder them. During our journey together, we express the ever-growing and changing nature of discipleship – we continue to pray and see God’s guidance and direction as we explore questions that can help us love God, one another, and God’s world more deeply and fully. Thank you for your continued prayers for the confirmation students, their families, and their mentors.

1. I am choosing to follow Jesus because….

2. I believe God our Creator is…

3. I believe the Holy Spirit is…

4. I believe the church is…

5. Growing as a disciple of Jesus means…

6. I commit to use my God-given gift of _______________ to share in the ministry of __________________.

7. Sharing the love of Christ means…

8. The UCC’s extravagant welcome and inclusive saying, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.” means…

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,

you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

With gratitude and hope,

Sarah