NUMC Confirmands Celebrated

Newtown United Methodist Church held Confirmation Sunday on June 12, and nine young adults were celebrated.

The students had been meeting with NUMC Senior Pastor Reverend Mel Kawakami and Deacon Reverend Sue Klein on Sunday afternoons since November. They each had an adult mentor with whom they worked to explore the faith held common among all Christians, as well as the traditions of United Methodism.

The members of NUMC’s 2011 Confirmation class were Robyn Gaines, Kallie Maschino, Brandon McCarthy, Keaton McCleary, Kelsea Morshuk, Anna Pinckney, Will Swain, Zachary Warner, and Katelyn Zimmerman.

Mentors for this class were Tom Allen, Kim Baxter, Rob Kalbaugh, Susan Kalbaugh, Marcia Maurer, Jamie McCleary, Susan Miles, Bill Van Gieson, and Bob Virgalla.

During their studies the students attended an interfaith Seder at Congregation Adath Israel, participated in 25 hours of community service, and met with Bishop Jeremiah Park during the New York Conference Rally last month.

In the Betts Conference Room at NUMC there has been a vine hanging on the wall, to which each Confirmand attached a branch. During the months they have been meeting, the students also attached leaves and fruit to the vine, following a theme that ran through their lessons which was based on the 15th chapter of John’s gospel in which Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches … when you are joined with me, you will bear much fruit.”

Sunday, June 12 (which was also Pentecost), began with a breakfast gathering, and continued with Confirmation during NUMC’s 10 am worship service. During the service each Confirmand was invited to read his or her faith statement.