Confirmation, Choirs, Circle of Care, and news for the week!
It may not feel like fall yet in Wilton, but our fall program is very well started. On Tuesday night, our Confirmands gathered for the first time this year to begin their journey toward Confirmation. They had a good time starting to grow into a group, talking about their understanding of God, and introducing themselves. And I spent the evening with the parents, talking about the year ahead and what Confirmation is all about. If the year ahead is anything like our trip to Chapel on the Green this past Sunday, we're all in for something very special. Last Sunday, after church, a group of our Confirmands, parents, and frequent mentors traveled up to New Haven to worship with a community that meets outside every week - rain or shine, snow or sleet. Quite a lot of the folks in the community are homeless, but not all of them. Some of them are food insecure, or they just struggle to make ends meet at the end of the month. So, after worship, our kids helped serve them a meal. And they were amazing. We were all so proud of they way they engaged these new neighbors and of the kindness they showed.
At Confirmation, we invite kids to begin to make the leap between the faith of a child and the commitment that is necessary to the life of faith of an adult. Confirmation is intended to be a "mature confession of faith," one that re-confirms the Covenant God makes with us at baptism. The journey to Confirmation is so important because it lays the foundation for a whole life full of learning and growing in the faith. And this year's Confirmands are already off to a very good start.
On Thursday (10/3), our Children and Youth Choirs will meet for the first time this year. They'll continue to meet on (most) Thursdays throughout the fall. I'm so grateful that our own Jennifer Famous has stepped in to lead our kids through this transition. In fact, you may have noticed that we have a number of talented and faithful people that have stepped in to lead and to serve during this transition. We've had Mark Famous on the organ bench every week since the middle of August. And Janet Nobles has generously stepped in to help rehearse the Adult Choir. I'm so grateful to these three people, for the ways they're sharing their gifts with us in the midst of this transition. And I'm grateful for the good spirit of our Choirs and of the music program at St. Matt's. I hope we'll have good news to share soon about a Director of Music Ministries - and in the interim, I'm deeply grateful that we're in such good hands.
On Sunday (10/6), we have quite a busy and fun day ahead of us. We'll baptize one of our new members and share the day with one of our new Mission Partners: Circle of Care. Please plan to join us for a special forum after the 10:00am service to learn more about the work of Circle of Care and how you (and how we!) can be involved. Then, I know you'll want to come back for the Chili Cookoff and some football-fellowship (that is a thing, right?). If you haven't signed up yet, there's information in the newsletter about this, too.
There are a ton of other interesting opportunities for formation, service, and fellowship on the horizon. So please take a careful look at our website & newsletter. And come jump in on the fun this fall!
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector