Kim Merritt, Wyndham Ferris, Branden Gary,
Jamie Schoeberlein, Anna Searingen, Mark Merritt
Our affirmation of faith is very different from any others of the past. It is a metaphor of our faith. This might help you understand it...
On April 10, about half of our class, along with our teachers had a picnic at "Turtle Park". None of us knew what we were getting ourselves into. During our picnic, Kim presented information and thoughts about faith and turtles. After a short discussion as a group, each of us worked with our advocates to create a prayer flag representing turtles and our faith. We learned that...
...some Native Americans and people of the Far East feel the turtle is somewhat magical, representing heaven and earth and our connnection to Mother Earth. Just as the turtle cannot separate itself from its shell, neither can we separate ourselves from earth, creation and our faith...
...just as turtles find protection for their shells, we find protection from our faith; we can also hide from our faith...
...just as the sea turtle travels and returns home to the beach of their earth to mate, lay eggs and return to the sea again, we are travelers in faith. The circle of life...
...hatchlings must fend for themselves, digging out and making their way to the sea. They are distracted by false light and predators. We too struggle, as we learn to live, we can also be distracted by false light and predators - but we are embraced by our family, our community and our faith...
One of the most striking passages we heard that day was written by an unknown author who states...
"...tortises are usually slow, quiet and peaceful. They don't move fast, but they can plod. The dictionary says that to plod is to walk slowly with a heavy tread,to work slowly, methodically, and thoroughly. Turtles plod. We live in an age of speed. To us faster is better. It is not so with God. God is not impressed with speed. God looks for those who will walk with Him, those who will plod along, slowly, carefully, deliberately, loyally, faithfully. Blades of grass grow quickly, they also die quickly. Giant oaks take years of sunshine and rain and winds and snows. Take time to plod along with God."
This is a day that we won't soon forget, a day that will be carried with us for a long time to come.
Peace.
Four confirmands joined Trinity on May 22, 2005. They are introduced here by their Elder Advocates.
Wyndham Ferris just finished 8th grade at John Burroughs School. He is the son of Diana Gray and Mark Ferris and little brother to Katie Ferris. He is honest, kind, and gentle. He has a brain that is out of this world; he's willing to share his knowledge in a way that does not put others down. He loves world history and learning.
Wyndham started out coming to class to please his mom... ended up coming on his own... He has been questioning, doubting, struggling with this thing called "faith," and willing to continue the journey. There things we have in common, things he probably doesn't even realize: We like to have fun. We like peanut butter. We are both accepting of others. We are fellow believers and fellow questioners. We both struggled with the question of membership right up to the 11th hour. This young man will change our world one day - Wow! And I taught him Sunday School. What an absolute blessing this has been.
- Kim Merritt
Branden Gary is a recent graduate from 8th grade at Wydown Middle School in Clayton. Branden likes a variety of sports, but especially football, baseball, tennis and golf. He also participates in a writing club through school (I'm told he's very good!) His participation in the Confirmation class has raised lots of questions and curiosities about faith and religion. Finally, since I work for the School District of Clayton, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about Branden away from Trinity by asking his teachers to tell me two or three words to describe him. Here's what they said: "A great sense of humor, intelligent, well mannered with adults, energetic, empathetic, playful, and highly developed social skills and intellect."
- David Hotaling
Jamie Schoeberlein has been "part and parcel" of our congregation for a very long time. She is the granddaughter of Rose Bodman, daughter of Nedra Schoeberlein and sister of Maggie, Ben and Tucker. Jamie is a soccer player and has been active at Brentwood Middle School as a cheerleader. She will be joining her sister Maggie this fall at Brentwood High School. Jamie is looking forward to being part of the Trinity Youth Group and participating in the mission trips. She will be going with the Youth Group to Montreat this summer. As I have gotten to know Jamie I have seen her interact with the others in the confirmation class with great kindness and friendship. I have also become aware of her deep love and caring for others, especially for her family.
- Diane O'Brien
Anna Swearingen is the daughter of Kirk and Jyl Swearingen and lives in Webster Groves with her parents and younger sister Nora. She goes to Hickson Middle School and does well there academically. Anna also is very talented and participates in school plays, takes piano and guitar lessons and also takes dance classes, specializing in modern, pointe ballet, and regular ballet. Anna aspires to a potential career in the creative arts. Anna is excited to be involved in church; she likes coming because it's fun, and she said that prayer to her means peace. Those are the same feelings I had when leaving her and the group. She is a sweet gentle soul who has much to offer all of us.
- Amy Rahm
We are turtles being born on the beach.
We are surrounded by distractions
but guided by the light of the moon,
into the ocean of our faithful living.
The moon is our God;
guiding us through the teachings of the bible;
a reflection of our faith.
God lights the moon.
The moon is Jesus;
living, teaching, and dying
to hide the light
of distraction from our eyes.
The moon is the Holy Spirit;
the instinct that guides us
in faith, in questioning, and in doubt.
We are surrounded by the Holy Spirit.
Trinity Church, our community of faith.
Other turtles being born with us;
finding faith with us;
helping us to the ocean.
As we pass into the ocean, we continue to travel in faith;
doing our best to help our brothers and sisters
find the ocean with us.
We are turtles still swimming.