As I write this, I am getting ready to begin another series of Confirmation Classes for the young people of this congregation interested in becoming full members. I love teaching these classes for many reasons, among which is simply the opportunity to become acquainted – or re-acquainted – with these young people themselves. This year, they are all 6th and 7th graders and I like hearing them talk about their lives, the things that matter to them and the things they think about. I will admit that sometimes their high energy level can present challenges, but I always seem to clean-up after class is over thanking God for the pure experience of them!
To be frank, however, even with all of the above being true, I sometimes wonder about the timing of all of this. I know why we offer these classes to young people at this stage in their lives, but I also know from years of personal history that we seem to bring these young men and young women “in” just before the time when most of them will be moving on – or even out! Whether it is because “Church” seems to lose its relevance in their lives, they begin to have doubts about their faith, or they just get busy with other things, our children often choose to absent themselves from Sunday School and worship more and more during high school and certainly during college.
I remember years ago hearing someone speak on this very topic. He said that he thought the Church would be wise to adopt a ritual named for Thomas, the Doubter, and offer that instead of Confirmation to its young people. He argued that in doing this, we would acknowledge that doubt and struggle are important parts of a healthy and mature faith. I thought he was on to something, although I’m not sure such a ceremony would do much to provide a correction for all the other tempting things the world holds out as possible ways to use what might otherwise have been church time.
So what will make the difference? How do we pass on to our young people a sense of what we value here in a way that might lead them to value it, too? You might spend a few moments thinking about that. What did it for you? What happened in your childhood years that made Church the place you wanted to be? What brought you back to the Church after your own wandering away? What has caused you to seek out the Church as an adult, even though it may not have been something your own family encouraged during your growing up?
The answers you find to these questions may lead you to some new understanding of who you are as a member of the congregation these young people are a part of. Who we are – how we relate to each other – how we come to know and understand and invest ourselves in the children and young people among us – how we act intentionally to create a sense of belonging – may, in fact, make all of the difference. Please keep our young peoples in your prayers. I look forward to introducing them to you again on Confirmation Sunday, May 6th.
Rev. Jeanne M. Randels, Pastor
