Jinha’s Monthly Message – June 2024

We currently have a confirmation class for our youth with their Confirmation to be held on the last Sunday of this month. What is confirmation in the church? Why does their faith have to be confirmed? According to the FAQ page of the official UMC Website, “United Methodists use the term “confirmation” to mark the first time a baptized Christian publicly “confirms” their intention to live the vows of the baptismal and membership covenant and so becomes a professing member of the local congregation and The United Methodist Church.” In baptism as a Christian initiation and a symbol of the washing away of our sin, people confidently confess or confirm their faith in God. It is a very important part of the baptism ceremony. For this meaningful event, they have a baptism preparation class to learn about the meaning of baptism and the Christian life. However, babies and children are baptized without confirming their faith. This is because we believe in God’s prevenient grace that is available to all and is not limited by our lack of understanding or by our inability to accept it. As a result, our youth have had no chance to publicly confess their faith as yet. So, our confirmation class provides them the opportunity to know who we are, what is faith, and how to live as a Christian in the world. The confirmation ceremony will be a time to confirm their faith before the congregation and to welcome them as confessing members of our church. How meaningful and important it is! For this meaningful moment, 4 students are preparing now. The confirmation ceremony will be held during our Sunday worship service on June 30, 2024. Please pray for them to be true disciples of Jesus Christ who can transform the world into the Kingdom of God. Please encourage them to trust in God, to follow Jesus, and to communicate with the Holy Spirit. Finally, please welcome them as our new and precious family. Amen.

First & Wesley United Methodist Church
Pastor Jinha Choi