Kiranjay Semenchalam:
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” This verse is important to me because it gives me a way to view others’ criticism of me as a young person. It also points out the fact that someone should always be strong in fighting for what they believe.
A story that connects me to my faith happened at my Godmother Robyn’s church, Spirit of Grace, during the Easter Service. There was a woman who had just lost her father. She was grieving and sad, but being in worship made her feel better because everyone supported her. I love to see how a community, the church, is good for people.
One important thing I learned about God is that everyone can be forgiven, no matter what they have done. This idea shows that God’s love is unconditional and not based on being perfect. It also teaches that people should not give up on themselves or others because change is always possible. Repentance is seen more as a way to heal and grow rather than just admitting wrongdoing. This makes faith feel more hopeful instead of fearful. It encourages me to treat others with patience and understanding, which can help make the world a better place.
Being a follower of Jesus means trying to live my life in a kind and caring way every day. It involves helping others, even when it is not easy, and putting others before myself sometimes. Followers of Jesus also try to forgive people and avoid judging them harshly. Going to church regularly is part of staying connected to faith and learning more about how to live like Jesus. Being social at church can also help build relationships, especially with older members who may feel lonely. In general, following Jesus means trying my best to make positive choices that help others and improve the world.
My favorite part of church is that it creates a sense of belonging and community. People come together to support each other, not just in faith but also in everyday life. I enjoy being around others who share similar values and beliefs. The church also gives opportunities to help others through service and volunteering. As I grow up, I would like to continue being part of this kind of supportive environment. Staying connected to the church can help guide me and keep me grounded in my beliefs.
There are still some parts of my faith that I am unsure about, like the creation story and the idea of the Trinity. These topics can be hard to fully understand because they involve deep and complex beliefs. It is normal to have questions, and asking them can actually make faith stronger over time. Talking to someone I trust, like my mom, can help me think through these ideas. I can also learn more by asking questions at church or doing my own research. Having doubts does not mean I have no faith, it just means I am trying to understand it better.
Nora Duggan:
One of my favorite bible verses is Romans 12:4-5, which states, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” I like this verse because it explains that although we are all different, with different strengths and weaknesses, we all come together with our belief in Jesus and God.
I remember a time when I was on the Dog Mountain trail in Washington, hiking with my family, surrounded by this beautiful landscape, and in that moment I felt very connected to God, as if he was very near to me, yet far away. I was in awe of how he could create something so magnificent.
I think that the most important thing I have learned about God is that his love is unconditional, he will love us no matter what, because we are his creation, and he sacrificed his own son for us. This is important for us because sometimes it feels like he is absent in our lives, and is not watching over us when bad things happen, but it is important to know that he has a plan, and he cares for us so much to make sure that everything turns out alright in the end.
I think that being a follower of Jesus Christ today means representing him in everyday life: making actions that Jesus would approve of, displaying the love and care that Jesus gives to us to our neighbors, and trying to become more like Jesus every day.
I really hope that Churches always keep people of Christ connected, and that all people inside the Church love and care for everyone equally. I love how this Church is so caring and understanding to everyone, and I hope that other Churches and Churches of the future can do that, as well.
Sometimes, I question my connection with God, because it sometimes feels as if it is not strong enough, or doesn’t happen often enough. I have questioned it for a long time, but I know that I can always look to my parents or Pastor Allison if I ever need to, and they could help me.
Cora Kalainoff:
One of my favorite bible verses is Psalms 118:6, which says, “The lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do to me?” I love this verse because it conveys the idea of faith over fear and that if God is with us, we can do anything. It encourages us not to live our lives afraid of what tomorrow brings, but to make the most of today.
Since starting 8th grade, I realized just how fast time flies by. I’m almost in high school and in 4 years, I’ll be in college. It’s crazy how fast we grow up and I realized we will never be this young again and I don’t want to waste my time. I want my life to be full of amazing stories that I can tell my kids one day. I thought about how God’s gift to us is life, but we only get one, so I want to make the most of it, and that’s what God wants us to do. God wants us to see the world and experience it and spread love.
Something about Jesus and God that I think is so important is that God forgives our sins no matter what and that God sees every part of us. Us as humans judge too much. We tend to only see one side of people whether it’s only the good side or only the bad side. Everyone has both light and dark in them and we can’t judge or make assumptions if we don’t even know them. This is good for the world because it saves us from shame. Humans tend to get caught in regret or shame but knowing that God forgives us and loves us can help us heal and start anew.
I like that in our church, we’re not super serious about how you show your faith and that we are welcoming to all. We’re not forced to show our faith in specific ways. I love how a church is a community because were not meant to live alone, but to be surrounded by people who support and love each other and churches are full of these kinds of people.
I think to be a follower of Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean you go to church every day or read the bible but to simply believe and have faith that god is with you. Spreading love and going into the world with open arms. A lot of people tend to think that to be a christian means to never sin and to have a completely religious lifestyle. But to be a follower means to take care of each other and fill the world with love. This means greeting everyone with love and forgiveness.
I have learned so much about faith and the church and I still have so so so much still to learn. One thing I have always wondered is why bad things can happen to such good people and, if God hears our prayers, why are some of them unanswered or seem to be unfulfilled? I can talk about these questions with pastor Allison, my fellow confirmands, and my friends who are in other churches.