Dear AGAC whanau,
Last Sunday, our parishioners, Amanda, Angela and Bob were confirmed together with 26 other candidates from 12 parishes across Auckland at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Several parishioners from AGAC were there to join this special occasion.
The service was a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness and the Spirit’s ongoing work among us. As I watched each candidate step forward, I was struck by the courage it takes to publicly affirm one’s faith in today’s world. Regardless of their age, they stood before us, not as perfect disciples, but as willing ones, ready to journey deeper with Christ. The laying on of hands and anointing with oil spoke powerfully of God’s blessing and commissioning.
It was not just a moment for them, but for all of us, as we were invited to renew our own baptismal promises and remember that the Spirit equips us for service, witness, and love. In my culture, there is a saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”.
Confirmation is one more step on the journey we are making with God. Confirmation is in fact not the beginning of that journey. We begin our walk with God before we can crawl. Many steps lead us to know God and there are many new discoveries to be made following the commitment of Confirmation. Yet, this is an important landmark where the public declaration is 14th December – 2nd Sunday of Advent – Year A made of our willingness to follow Christ and serve the Church and the community. Congratulations on making that step, Amanda, Angela and Bob!
Next year, the Bishop will come to our parish to do the confirmation service for Jonathan and Dorothy S. If you have not done yet, I am inviting you to consider joining.
Joyfully in Christ,
Yukiko
