How is that coming for you? Are you moving on in your spiritual life? Or, as John Wesley (the founder of our denomination) said: “Are you moving onto perfection?” Welsey said that if we stopped moving forward in our life-long faith journey, then we were slipping back. Slipping away from a God that does everything possible to get your attention, to warn you of challenges ahead and who desires the deepest relationship with us.
This January 2021, we are planning to offer a Confirmation program to young persons in the Farrar and the Mingo United Methodist Churches. I want to share with you that as the Pastor, “I Love Confirmation!’ I enjoy seeing the new confirmand see growth and changes to their faith in real ways… practical ways that really impact their life and their faith and life decisions. My goal is to make this Confirmation the beginning of a life-long personal relationship with the confirmands in their faith journey and God.
Beginning during the week of January 10th, my plan is to offer a Confirmation class for interested young people (with the support of their parents and other family members, sponsors, etc.) that will lead to them being confirmed in our United Methodist and Christian faith.
They will be meeting each week until their Confirmation on the Sunday following Easter (April 11th). Due to meeting online, there will be some special considerations on meeting times online and Confirmation materials. The Confirmation materials this year are two books:
(1) The Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith and (2) The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way – (Our United Methodist Faith). In addition, confirmands will each receive A Quickreference Pocket Book as a quick resource. Videos of the class sessions and videos on the topics will be available 24/7 online for them to watch as they prepare for the class each
week. It is good that we have these online resources during this time of social distancing.
But we need to work hard to make it personal. That is where sponsors and a praying, supportive church comes in. Each of the 10 confirmands will need a sponsor. A person who will meet with them online each week to touch base with where they are and what they are learning. To put another personal “face” of the church to each confirmand. Some students are picking their own sponsor and others are open to whoever might pick them. Are you interested to be a sponsor? Want to find out how simple it is? They need you…but as you will discover, you need them. We need each other to “incarnate” God to each other and love and support them through the Confirmation class. If you’re interested, contact me: Pastor Phil @ 515-418-0807 or phildicks@gmail.com
So, why not Confirmation for everyone? Seriously, aren’t you in need of a refresher? What are the absolute basics of the Christian faith and the Wesleyan Way? I want to offer that (in a separate class from the Confirmands) to each of you – online beginning in mid-January. Look for the information coming after the “busyness of Christmas” passes. Say YES to it so you can refresh and re-faith yourselves. New Year! New Faith! The same books (also made for adults who have already done confirmation or never took it before) will be available along with the same study videos which will be available online 24/7.
We are just beginning. We have a seat for you. Prayerfully consider joining us or supporting this program. Why not help by purchasing a Confirmation book for one or two of the confirmands as we “Go Be the Church!”
10 Copies – “The Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith” (Softcover Books) @ $14.95 each
1 Copy – “The Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith” (PDF Format) @ $14.95 each
1 Unit – “The Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith” (Live Streaming) @ $49.95 per unit
10 Copies – “The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way” (Softcover Books) @ $14.95 each
1 Unit – “The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way” (Live Streaming) @ $49.95 per unit
And if available… 10 copies of the “The Absolute Basics Pocket booklets” which they will carry as a daily reminder of the “core” of our studies.
