by Beth Paz

   We are so excited to introduce the 20 Rooted and Ignite youth who have completed all the requirements for Confirmation and became members of First Presbyterian Church on April 14! Join us in congratulating the following students: Rileigh Armstrong, Reagan Keeler, Elliot Fortmeyer, Claire Predmore, Gannon Murray, Sarah Ramirez, Abbey Ellis, Neil Dau, William Dau, Jesse Ellis, Isabelle Hartsell, Audrey Fortmeyer, Madison Henley, Rebekah Rooney, Bekah Vaccaro, Alec Guerrero, Matthew Smith, Alex Meadors, Ava Crantz, and Lauren Mozier.

   The process of Confirmation involves a 6-week class that invites students to grow in discipleship as individuals and as part of the FPC church community by becoming members. The class discusses topics like life-long discipleship, church membership, reformed theology, the history of First Presbyterian Church of Fresno, and helps students articulate their own faith stories. They take action steps of sharing their testimony with the Session, interviewing a pastor, processing their spiritual gifts with their Ministry Director and being baptized if they have not done so already! These students celebrate their membership by declaring vows and publicly confirming their relationship with Jesus as they enter into church membership.

Rebekah RooneyRebekah Rooney 

   Recently I've been striving to have a personal relationship with God and to make my faith my own. As I'm getting older I want my faith to be mine and not my parents' and I want the reason that I go to church because I want to and not because my parents are making me. One of the weeks in class, we talked about 1 Corinthians 12, which talks about how the church is one body with many members with their own skills and how we can work with people who don't have the same gifts as us. I learned through an exercise we did called s.h.a.p.e. that a lot of my gifts have to do with serving other people. I'm very excited about our spring break service retreat because I know that I'll be able to use my gifts there.

Will Dau   

   When my mom first told me I was "doing" confirmation, of course, I was skeptical. Having been raised in and around the church, much of the stuff we learned I already knew. Before confirmation, however, I had just been going through the motions in my relationship with God. After talking to Beth and Pastor Jeremy I really started realizing I needed to actively pursue my relationship with God and that it wasn't just going to happen. Now out of confirmation, I hope to not only get more out of the church but also give back and participate in youth group and more. 

 Isabelle Hartsell

   To me, becoming a member means committing myself completely to God, the church, and the community. It means finding ways to become a better Christian by findings ways to serve at your church and neighborhood. It means listening to God and doing what He has called me to do. My favorite part about participating in confirmation was sharing my testimony and hearing other people's testimonies as well. I enjoyed hearing how other people came to know Christ and how God has helped them.

 Neil Dau

   Confirmation has given me a chance to get closer with First Presbyterian Church. It has given me an easy transition to Sunday school, where I met some really cool people. Now I am more inspired to seek out the youth group. Another great thing I have gotten out of confirmation is how First Pres is run. I learned about Session and the difference between Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders. Confirmation has been great experience that has helped me immensely. 

Rileigh Armstrong

   One of my favorite parts about this process of becoming a member was being able to learn more about God and reflect on what he has done throughout my life as I prepared my creative testimony. I learned more about how God is using me to show others His word through my life story. I also learned how important community is to the church, which is a big part of why I became a member. I think it is important for the church to value community and relationships, so we can grow in our relationship with others and God. I think that membership is worth the commitment, because First Presbyterian Church is my church and becoming a member says that. I really appreciated the conversations I had with Meagan and Beth and I was happy to strengthen my relationships with my peers. 

Claire Predmore 

   I learned by reflecting that it's very evident how God has worked in my life and I look forward to more growth. understand more the work Jesus has done in my life especially after going through the process of putting together my testimony and having the conversation about spiritual gifts with Beth. With others, I am more comfortable with sharing about God because I can specifically identify the work he has done. (In regards to how you give testimony to God's goodness...) Well for me, I can give it through describing the rest I've found in Him coming from years of anxiety, and this is important to me because I see the change in my life and I understand how different my life would be if I never reached peace with God in my frustrations, and I want other people to at least know that no matter what God is always there for us, and He is in control.

Gannon Murray

   I entered this class expecting to learn more about God and the EPC, and all of the technical things about being a member of the church. While we did learn about those things, I found that I ended up learning more about myself than anything else. Reflecting deeply on my testimony and my own nature, especially in my meetings with Beth and Nate, was enlightening. I realized new things about myself that had never occurred to me before. With this deeper understanding of my own habits and perceptions, I feel more equipped to serve and function as a member of the church. 

Matthew Smith 

   I decided to become a member as a follow up to the message at Winter Camp which said to make your faith your own. I believe that becoming a member helps to further my discipleship because I can become more involved with and in the church. I believe it changes my approach from what can I get to what can I give in situations. I believe I have connected with Jesus more by praying more and relying on him. One highlight from my confirmation experience was when a friend and I processed s.h.a.p.e. with Meagan. The food was really good! I believe with my spiritual gifts, I could step into leadership role or even work with youth later in my life. 

Reagan Keeler

   I feel that this was the right next step for me to take in my discipleship because I know that this may bring along some new challenges and ways I can be closer to God in the Church community. I also felt this class gave me a little more courage to put myself out there more and keep inviting my friends who don't go to church. I think I learned some things about myself while writing my testimony. I've gone to church my whole life and so I really had to think about my relationship with God,my life, and how it has brought me to this stage in my life where I feel a deeper connection with God than I have before. I pray, and I thank God for all the good that God brings to my life. I start almost every prayer saying "God. Thank you for this day." I think it is important to tell God that I recognize all the good that he has brought me and ask him how I could show his goodness to others.