Aurora girl among youth completing confirmation class co-sponsored by four Fox Valley Methodist churches

Ella Karl of Aurora is among area youth completing a confirmation class co-sponsored by four Fox Valley Methodist churches.

Ella was confirmed in a ritual during Sunday morning worship at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora. Pastor Rev. Tammy Scott presided with assistance from Michelle Curiel, children and family director. After being confirmed, Karl assisted with serving communion and greeting congregants.

Rev. Scott said Karl was among eight youth who completed a confirmation preparation class co-taught by pastors at Wesley, Batavia UMC, UMC of Geneva and Baker Memorial UMC in St. Charles.

In addition to weekly sessions from January through April at Batavia UMC, the class included two half-day retreats. Topics covered included old and new testaments, Methodist history, sacraments, Wesleyan theology, prayer and living out faith. Confirmation preparation concluded with each student meeting with their pastor to discuss what it means to become a church member.

Collaborating pastors were Scott of Wesley, Rev. David Aslesen, Baker Memorial, St. Charles; Rev. Rob Hamilton and Greg Coates, UMC Geneva; and Rev. Melissa Meyers and Deacon Luke Pepper, Batavia UMC.

United Methodists use the term confirmation to mark the first time a baptized Christian publicly confirms their intention to live the vows of baptism and membership covenant and so becomes a professing member of the local congregation and denomination.