The 2010-2011 Confirmation Class attended two different worship services to learn more about how we as United Methodists are similar and different to other faith traditions.

On Friday, October 1, 2010, the class attended the House of Jacob Synagogue along with University UMC’s Confirmation Class.  Before the worship service, Rabbi Danny Kislin talked about some basic beliefs and traditions of Judaism, and he also showed them one of their Torah scrolls, which is over 100 years old!  The worship service itself was special in that it marked the end of the annual cycle to read the Torah (law); this holiday is known in Judaism as Simchat Torah.  Rabbi Kislin ceremoniously carried the Torah scroll through the congregation for members to touch or kiss the scroll.

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, the class attended Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church.  Father John Swistovich took the class on a tour of their beautiful, brand new worship facility.  The service itself was centered around the theme of “Respect for Life,” remembering that since life comes from God, all life is sacred.  Thus, we must live to protect life.  After the service, Deacon Larry Bills answered questions about the service and Roman Catholicism in general.

Special thanks goes to parents Nick Alread and Mark Edwards for chaperoning these trips with Rev. Sims.

Check out pictures of these great trips:

On Saturday, April 17, 2010 during the Christmas in April Retreat, the 2010 Confirmation Class wrote their own Affirmation of Faith.  It was first read in worship on Confirmation Sunday, April 25, 2010 when 11 young people were confirmed, publicly professing their faith and choice to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Here is that creed:

We believe in God, the powerful, almighty Creator of heaven and earth, King and Ruler of anything and everything, Who gives us everlasting love, peace, and eternal life.

We believe in the Son of God, Savior of souls and Corrector of sin. Jesus loves us and nourishes us.

We believe in the Holy Spirit that opens the door to knowledge. The Spirit breathes into us the Breath of life, and is the Spark of the fire of love in our souls.

We believe in the Church, God’s house and place of fellowship, love, repentance, and devotion. It is a place where we learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible. Amen.

Back L-R:  Emma Knight, Millicent Paris, Lauren Meaders, Ashley Tate, Ali O’Connell, Myrah Rogers, Mason Lamb
Front L-R:  McKinley Thacker, Collin Brauner, Paul Acosta, Cory Press

One of the highlights of the Confirmation year is the “Christmas in April Retreat” where the Confirmands learn about and begin to discover their spiritual gifts for serving in the church.  This year was no exception.

As a part of the primary program time, parents and grandparents came to share the experience with their 6th graders.  Thus, all were able to consider the importance of every member of the body of Christ, the church.  When one is not there, the tasks before us are more difficult – sometimes impossible!  Plus, as members of the same body, we have to learn to work together in sharing and using our gifts for the good of all.

After supper, the eleven Confirmands worked on their own Affirmation of Faith in their own words, and this creed will be read for the first time in worship on Confirmation Sunday, April 25, 2010.  Then, after a bit of free time, they watched the theatrical version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and considered how John Wesley’s basic theology is summed up in that movie!

Special thanks go to six youth helpers (Andrew Beltchev, Drake Davis, Breanne Press, Hope Rouse, Courtney Tate, and Keeley Trevino) and three adults (Jeff & Holly Ginn and Wilma O’Connell) who worked with Rev. Troy Sims to make this event a success.

The Confirmands that attended this trip include Paul Acosta, Collin Brauner, Emma Knight, Mason Lamb, Lauren Meaders, Ali O’Connell, Millicent Paris, Cory Press, Myrah Rogers, Ashley Tate, and McKinley Thacker.

Check out the pictures below!

On February 6-7, 2010, nine members of the Confirmation Class and four adults went to the Dallas area for the annual “Confirmation Celebration Overnighter.”  This entailed MANY things:

Doing a canned / boxed good scavenger hunt to benefit CCA (Christian Community Action) in Lewisville, Texas;

Learning about what John Wesley thought were the most important themes in Scripture and for our faith (Prevenient, Justifying, and Sanctifying Grace);

Playing Put-Put Golf, Lazer Tag, Go Carts, and Arcade Games at Adventure Landing in Dallas;

Spending the night at FUMC Lewisville;

Attending St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in South Dallas (Confirmands said this was AWESOME); and

Attending the Confirmation Celebration with Bishop Earl Bledsoe at FUMC Denton.  Several hundred other confirmands from around the North Texas Conference were there.

Special thanks for the adults that assisted Rev. Troy Sims:  Karen Rogers, Kevin O’Connell, and Jeff Thacker.  This event would not have been a success without them!

For more pictures, click the “strip” below:

The 2009-2010 Confirmation Class attended Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, October 3, 2009 in order to see similarities and differences between Catholocism and Protestantism.  After the service, Rev. Troy Sims showed the class some of the distinctively Catholic aspects of their Sanctuary and faith.

Check out the picture below taken after worship:

The 2009-2010 Confirmation Class visited the House of Jacob Synagogue in Wichita Falls on Friday, September 25, 2009.  Rabbi Danny Kislin spent some time telling them about the history of Judaism as well as pointing out similarities and differences between Christianity, the Jewish faith, and even secular culture.  He even showed them two Torah scrolls (each scroll contains Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) – did you know that there are NO vowels in these writings?  In addition, each was written by hand!  One was even over 300 years old!

After sharing in worship with the local congregation, the Confirmation Class went and ate at Braums.

Check out the pictures below: