On Friday, March 2, our youth group leaves for the annual, South Georgia Conference facilitated, Confirmation Retreat. This is a chance for the youth to deepen their faith commitment, learn more about what it means to be a United Methodist, and grow in relationship with each other.

For us as a church, this will also kick off our confirmation journey. Most all of our youth group, ten students in total, will be attending this retreat to begin this important journey of faith. In the United Methodist Church, confirmation marks the moment where a young person chooses to own his/her faith for him/herself. Prior to this moment, we’ve understood the parent or guardian to have custody of that faith. Now, we ask these young people to confess their faith in Jesus Christ, choose to daily follow him, and join in the work of the gospel to “offer release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4).

Joining the youth will be Leigh Law, our Children and Youth Minister; Dana Goshorn, our youth Sunday School teacher and youth group aide; and me, as confirmation is led by the pastor. This also gives me the opportunity to invest myself in this crucial population of our church, something I greatly value and look forward to. Please pray for us as we go, leaving Friday, March 2 and returning home Sunday, March 4. Please pray for our confirmands as they go through their confirmation journey from this retreat until Confirmation Sunday, May 6, 2018.

As I will be with the youth on Sunday morning, I’m delighted that our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Rick Lanford, will be joining us in worship, serving in my stead. Rick always delivers a great message and I know you’ll be blessed by his presence. In our hierarchical system as United Methodists, the District Superintendent serves a vital role in leading a district of churches as well as the liaison between us and our Bishop. Perhaps the main thing to know is that Rick plays a significant role in selecting pastors for churches in his district and, thus, is a major reason why I am appointed to serve this church. I’m thankful for that! Learn more about districts and District Superintendents here.

Again, please pray for us and we’ll see you, refreshed and renewed, on Sunday, March 11!