Dear Peace Families,
On Sunday during worship, we celebrated the Rite of Confirmation for our 8th grade students as they professed their faith and affirmed the promises God made with them at their baptism.
Faith is many things—a gift, a trust, a belief. But it is also a responsibility—to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
This is a responsibility that is never done perfectly, nor is it done alone. As confirmands proclaim their intention to uphold that responsibility, they state, “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.” As a congregation, we also promise to support our students and pray for them, and similarly, “we ask God to help and guide us” too. That is a promise I hope we all take very seriously!
As was talked about in Sunday’s adult education session, mental health has been declining in the United States across all demographics for decades, but particularly for teenagers. As reported by the CDC last month, sadness and hopelessness, levels of violence, and levels of suicide risk have all increased; these levels have increased more starkly over the last decade, and girls and the LGBTQ+ community have felt the worst of it.
One of the parting questions for the education hour was, “How do we, as the Church, respond?” And I believe the answer is stated in the promises we make to all the baptized and reaffirm at their confirmations—we support, care, and pray for our young people with the help of God.
So here’s my ask for each of you: please do everything you can to support our students—whether they’re in preschool or high school or beyond. Say “hi” to them and learn their names. Get to know them (the church is not a place for anonymity!). Ask them about their interests. Remind them that you care about them, that they belong here, and that you’re here to support them. Pray with them and for them.
Because as people of faith, these are some of the many ways we embody our congregational mission of growing a community that nurtures a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and how we live out our baptismal callings and promised responsibilities—knowing that God is helping and guiding us along the way.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
Two More Notes:
- VBS Registration will remain open for two more weeks, and closes on Sunday, May 14. Please invite a friend and sign up as soon as possible!
- May 14 is also our final day of Sunday School. During worship that morning, we will have the opportunity to celebrate the year and to thank the many leaders who shared their time and gifts, helping to make it all possible.
Family Tip of the Week
Make the effort to get to know some of the younger people in our congregation, and as a family, put in the time to support them through word, deed, and prayer.