Nine students complete months of study
and become members of Swift Church
After completing months of study with Pastor Keith Cardwell and then meeting with the session, nine young people became members of Swift Presbyterian Church on confirmation Sunday (May 20).
They are Olivia Akins, Braxton Akins, Zadie Grace Barnwell, Ava Brewer, Gracie Helton, Ella Thomas, Jon Devery Thomas, Baylee Thomason and Maycie Ulrich. Gracie Helton was baptized; the others had been baptized earlier.
The confirmation class began Oct. 1. The class was open to those in fifth grade and up and was held during the Sunday school time, 9 to 9:45 a.m. Breakfast was offered before each class.
Confirmation is a time for youth to explore their faith, learn about the Christian and Presbyterian traditions, and grow in community with one another.
When a baby is baptized in a Presbyterian church, the parents and the whole church make vows to raise that child lovingly in the Christian faith. When the church’s children reach a certain age (in our church it’s early youth) they are given the opportunity in confirmation to claim that faith as their own.
At the end of these classes, youth were asked if they are ready to affirm and confirm that Jesus is their Lord and that they are ready and willing to be members of the church. They confirmed this in class, in a meeting with the church session and finally before the congregation on confirmation Sunday.
Confirmation is an important milestone in Christian life.