This Sunday, seven young people will confirm their faith in Christ and join Galilee as full members. 

Click: Meet the Confirmation Class of 2023

United Methodists use the term “confirmation” to mark the first time a Christian publicly announces their intention to live the vows of the baptismal covenant that their family and the church spoke on their behalf when they were younger. Then, family promised to raise them as Christians. Now the confirmands are speaking for themselves.

Callie Comerford with her confirmation mentor Sally Lyberger

Each teen selected a trusted adult to mentor them through the six week curriculum that precedes Confirmation. The students then met in six sessions led by Family Ministry Coordinator Lisa Collins and Pastor Jason Duley. These sessions tackled topics like Creation, Sin, Redemption, and the Holy Spirit, as well the history of the Methodist church, the Christian sacraments, and discipleship. Traditional expressions of the Christian faith, such as the Apostles Creed, were carefully examined. The confirmands opened their Bibles and journals to learn about prayer and devotions, even writing their own devotional speech that they delivered at a Saturday retreat at Galilee. Finally, the students learned about our theology of grace and the meaning of worship. 

At this point, the confirmands have the knowledge they need to make their decision. On Sunday, they shall stand with their mentors and family before the church and confirm their intention to live by the values and examples of the Christians who have come before them, and more—to follow Christ.

Below are pictures from Confirmation class, including a field trip to the Old Stone Church in Leesburg.