The topic of confirmation classes has come up several times since I started here at SDUC, and it's something that I would like to address in this blog posting. My main priority as youth minister has been to provide depth opportunities for faith exploration and Christian education for all participants, and having not heard a great deal of interest from the youth themselves, Confirmation has been put on the back-burner in lieu of more immediate goals like the 30 Hr Fast and the Mustard Seed. These opportunities have received a very positive response from most people.
Another part of this conversation has been related to my limited number of hours to fulfill the Youth program, and for this reason I have needed a significant amount of expressed interest before making a Confirmation course a priority.
That said, I am aware that perhaps more information about Confirmation needs to be put forward for new youth participants to evaluate whether this is something they would like to receive in future.
It can be somewhat difficult to explain Confirmation as there are many ways
to describe it...
Confirmation: Giving voice to your faith and asserting your belonging within the United Church of Canada through Membership (A brief outline)
Baptism, and the Re-affirmation of Baptism
Some of you were baptized as an infant or at another time in your life, and some of you have not been baptized... Baptism is a symbol with various interpretations in different faith traditions, and finds its origins in the story of John the Baptist (see Mark Chap 1). In the United Church it symbolizes the welcoming of the individual into the Christian faith and the Church community (in this case, St David's UC). In the case of newborns being baptized, it is the parent's commitment to raise the child in the Christian Tradition (Our "Christian tradition" being how our relationship with God and Jesus affects how we live out our relationships with others and creation in this light). Confirmation allows the participant to articulate their own faith as a grown person.
An Assertion of belonging within the United Church of Canada
While you don't have to be a member to participate in the United Church, membership is an intentional way to claim a stake in the Church community. By becoming a member you are, in a way, saying - "I agree with the values and beliefs of the United Church of Canada, and I want to add my voice to the conversation around how we shape and live out those values and beliefs in the future". You are able to contribute to the decisions made by the community, both at St David's and at the Conference and National Church level if you so choose. (An example of this is being able to vote on whether our church performs same-sex marriages). You can then also seek to participate in the ministry of the Church itself (like becoming a Youth Minister! Aaaarggh!)
Participants of Confirmation classes are not required to become United Church members at the end of the program, but instead are invited to think about their faith and what it might mean to be a member of the United Church, and then decide if baptism/re-affirmation of baptism and membership is right for them.
What I need from interested SDUC Youth: If you are interested, please contact me asap, as I am going to have to figure out when to run the program (most likely early Fall). Recent Grade 12 Grads will also be welcome to attend.
Questions of any kind? youth@sduc.ca. thx and ttys - Aaron
