It has been a few years, but it is finally time to start thinking again about our Coming of Age Celebration.  Barring any unforeseen circumstances with the pandemic, we will be holding this service on February 27th.  The plan is to be back in the sanctuary, while also still streaming via Zoom for those unable to make it in person. 

For those of you who are newer (or those who have forgotten since it’s been a few years), this is an opportunity for our current sixth graders to bless the congregation by planning and leading a Sunday morning worship service. These young people have already blessed our congregation in many ways, but the Coming of Age ritual has become one of the ways we, as a congregation, lift up those gifts and recognize their role as fellow travelers along this journey of faith.

In turn, the congregation has the opportunity to bless these youth by writing notes of blessing that get compiled into a notebook and presented to them during the service.   All people, regardless of how well you know the youth, are invited to write notes.  They can be words of encouragement, scripture verses you find meaningful, a recognition of the specific gifts each youth has, or any other wisdom you want to pass along. 

Usually I would make up bundles of notecards to place in everyone’s CMC mailbox so that the notes could be handwritten.  This year, however, we will be using an online form to submit your notes of blessings.  You can access that form HERE.  (There are more instructions at the top of the form.)

You are also still welcome to handwrite your notes if you can get them to me in time.  If you do so, please only write on one side, and make sure it is clear who the note is for.  Names of the participating youth can be found by clicking on the form link above.

Both handwritten and electronically submitted notes are due no later than February 20th. 

This service has become one of CMC’s most meaningful yearly rituals for many people, so I hope you will participate in blessing our young people in this way.  If you have any questions, please let me know.