February 2010 Front Page

I sit at my desk pondering the newsletter and what is happening around here. There is a lot of talk about education and confirmation and I ponder as we go into Lent what education and confirmation mean. I wonder when it is that confirmation begins. Most of us would probably say that confirmation is 7th and 8th grade. I know some congregations that do 6th and 7th grade. I also know some congregations that do 7th, 8th and 9th grade. There are many different ways to do confirmation and age groups that can participate. However none of these answers actually answer the question of when it is that confirmation begins. Confirmation is a process of learning that does not begin when we start confirmation classes, nor does it end when we are confirmed. Confirmation begins at baptism. When the water roles over us and we are named and claimed as one of God’s children heirs to the kingdom of God that we start confirmation. We from this point on are learning about our faith and how our lives interact with God and each other in this community. The Rite of Confirmation is something we celebrate as an acceptance of the baptismal promise made by our parents and God parents at our baptism. We choose to live a life of discipleship. A life of learning. A life of being at the feet of Jesus and trying to live life the way he calls us to and teaches us to. In order to do this it takes a lifetime. So remember no matter what your age is 13, or 6 or 38, or 82, or anywhere in between or before or after you are in need of confirmation. We are able to learn and should seek out new knowledge that will help us in our faith journey. Grasp hold of God this coming Lent and after by delving into His Word and becoming overwhelmed by the grace and love there in, letting it permeate your lives and become a part of you. Live in the mercy of God that allows us to fall at His feet and learn all the days of our lives, and be his disciple. Remember your baptism and constantly strive to be His disciple.