Confirmations

Our church is preparing to confirm a new group of young people into our faith.  Confirmation is the process of affirming your beliefs and taking responsibility for your growth in the church.  As infants, my children joined our local church as preparatory members.  This means that my husband and I took responsibility for their growth and foundation of faith to prepare them to become members on their own.  By about 6th grade, children go through a process to learn more about the church and their own beliefts, then they make a public statement of faith, becoming full members of the church.

Confirmation, at least in our congregation, is a Big Deal.  We dedicate a Sunday to worship with these young people and specifically address them and their growth in their faith.  There is ceremony.  There is pomp.  And there is, of course, celebration.

Our church typically holds a brunch for this group of new members and their families.  We serve food buffet-style, with our selection ranging from bacon and eggs to waffles and toast, fresh fruit, kolaches, steamed vegetables, and (of course) cake.  We make sure our tables are decorated nicely yet festively, using durable tablecloths and even centerpieces to balance out the tables.  Each confirmand is presented with a small gift bag with several tokens of rememberance inside…a fish carved from local wood by a church member, a cross necklace made of nails, a stole that is worn during the church service, and a letter of congratulations from the confirmand’s prayer sponsor.  We also collect notes and letters from members of the congregation, wishing each young person a lifetime of prayers and thoughts. 

Our plates, napkins and cups are always a tasteful decor, fitting for the occasion.  And, being a celebratory event, we always have a healthy supply of balloons on hand!  Our main focus at the brunch is to enjoy the fellowship and honor those young people who have made their own profession of faith.  It is a very special day in their spiritual growth.