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| Confirmation |
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Tonight was the last confirmation class and I will have to admit I am going to miss it.
In the last several years I have felt that my talents were not needed in many of the ministries I had participated in around the church. I slowly dropped out of teaching Sunday School, helping at UMYF, UMW, ushering, reading scripture, layspeaking. I really had a lot on my plate getting Renee off to college and an ongoing health issue. It was okay that I was dropping out. Time for someone else to have an opportunity to pitch in.
Well, with Renee gone I began to feel pretty lonely. I started feeling better after determining what was going on with my health and I started thinking it was time to go back in and start doing things again. At the last minute something told me to help out with confirmation and I decided to teach.
I have to admit, it really was a joy. I really had a lot of fun sharing my faith with 6th graders. We talked about the seasons of the church, we talked about sin, we learned about grace. We laughed, we goofed off and next weekend we are going on a retreat together.
You know this experience has taught me something very important. As a faith community we all have a responsibility to love and nuture our children. They are so precious and they are so hungry for us to lead them on the journey. Each of these wonderful 6th graders is a great gift to our church. And we should nuture and guide so that they grow in their faith.
Several of the youth came in to talk to the confirmands tonight. One of the youth, Pete, stood up and talked about how he had become active in youth. Even though Pete did not remember, I taught him 4th grade Sunday School. I watched him grow up in this church and I was so proud of the wonderful young man that was standing before the confirmands tonight. As proud of him as I am of my own daughter.
One of my favorite Sundays in our church is the Sunday that we recognize our graduating Seniors. I love to see those young people stand up before the congregation and tell us their plans for the future. As a faith community we have watched and hopefully helped these young people to grow up. We have been a part of them and will hopefully be part of their future also. I am always so proud and get a little teary-eyed on this Sunday.
I sometimes see these kids around town after they have gone off to school or I get e-mails from them from school. They usually give me a big hug and share with me what they are up to. I am so proud that I may have touched their lives in some small way. I know that they have touched mine is a much bigger way.
This group of confirmations is a very special group. I hope and pray that they stay together throughout high school and that many of them will continue to participate in our church community. We are so lucky to have them and need to all nurture them and encourage them. As a faith community, we each need to appreciate the youth among us. They are our future and what a bright future they are!
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Hi, Rita,
I am having to force myself to encourage you to be where you need to be, because it's so obvious to me where you need to be that I have an overwhelming urge to TELL YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO BE!
Last night ("THE last night") of this year's confirmation classes, I had the pleasure of watching you help, once again, with this group. You are so good at this, and you so obviously love the little hellions. "Be where you need to be", but I hope that you need to stay involved in these young lives, because they are so blessed when you do.
Pete may not remember his 4th grade teacher, but I bet he remembers his Catacomb Bible Study leaders - and that was you, too. He's carrying around his new 18th Birthday present - a NASB study Bible - everywhere that I see him. I know you are one of the people who has encouraged his love of scripture, and it stuck.
I don't need details, so don't tell me any, but you really do deserve a wedgie for not having us pray with you for your health - I'm glad that God knew what was up with you, even when the rest of us didn't. I pray for you anyway, so I didn't know exactly what I was praying about, but I was there.
Keep the faith, chick. Christ SO lives in you.
Spencer the wonder hamster |
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March 03, 2008 at 4:16pm |
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Rita,
you know my brother probably a lot better than you know me but I can tell you that even with the little i've been around and know of you.....you're awsome! Your smile, your wisdom and your humor can brighten anyones day. If i ever mention your name around craig (or reverand bevis...whichever name you prefer) he always burst out laughing and starts to tell some story of church and the group you guys had. When he comes to church he's looking for you Rita, you're the reason he comes.
If you've done so much for just us two brazeal's then imagine what you've done with the hundreds of youth you've worked with. We love you as much (probably more) than you could ever imagine.
You're awsome! and forever will be.
Love you Rita!!!!!! |
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