”It was my joy to confirm 16 youth from our church who claimed their faith on Confirmation Sunday,” announced the Rev. Candy LaBar, pastor of Wesley UMC Bethlehem. “I wish our confirmands every blessing on this new stage of their faith journey.”

Confirmation in the UMC marks “when 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.” See “What do I need to know about confirmation in the UMC?”

The Wesley youth completed eight months of instruction before the April 24 ceremony, guided by several mentors.

“When my two kids were born, I wanted them to know God, and today they made the choice to follow Christ through their membership of the United Methodist Church,” said Sue Kiefner, a Certified Lay Minister at Wesley. “I am so proud of them, as well as my niece, my mentee and all the other youth who made this choice today.”

Kiefner, who will become a lay supply pastor in July, joined other mentors in congratulating the young people. See her photos of the event.