The ninth grade is a special year for youth attending Church School at the Chapel of the Cross. This class of high school freshmen becomes the nucleus for the Youth Inquirers' Class at our parish. The class is also open to other high school students who, for one reason or another, did not participate during their ninth grade year.

Each spring the Bishop comes to the Chapel of the Cross to confirm youth and adults who have made the decision to become full members of the Episcopal Church. At Confirmation, students make a mature affirmation of the baptismal covenant which, in most cases, was made on their behalf when they were young children. Until confirmation, parents, Godparents and the general parish congregation had accepted responsibility for nurturing these youth in the fulfillment of the baptismal covenants. Now the inquirers, both youth and adult, are declaring their intention to continue on this journey in their own right.

The ninth-grade Sunday school curriculum is centered around the major sacraments of the Episcopal Church. Classes also focus on the history of the Church as well as the history and ministries of our own parish. The class is typically led by a team of lay parishioners and clergy staff. This year, the class is being guided by Pam Pate, Steve Lackey, Bill Joyner, and Tammy Lee. Throughout the year, visiting instructors focus on a specific sacrament or other topic central to the Episcopal Church.

By the time May rolls around, the class has enjoyed the participation of all our parish priests and the majority of our associate priests. In addition, efforts are made to build a strong bond within the class by providing fellowship activities and service opportunities outside of class time. Every effort is made to provide an opportunity for pilgrimage to the National Cathedral in Washington as well. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the class was unable to make the Washington trip this year, but all of this year's participants will be invited to join the next class that makes the pilgrimage.

Throughout the year, the class is reminded of confirmation and what it means to make a mature affirmation of one's baptismal covenant. When spring arrives, the students are asked to make their own decision about being confirmed, and they present their decision, and the underlying basis, to the class leaders. The decision of each student is respected, and everyone remains a part of the group. Once the Bishop has completed the laying on of hands and the youth have been welcomed by the congregation with prayer, celebration, and cake, the transition from parish children to parish adults is complete, and each individual begins his or her next journey into an adult Christian life.

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© 2003 The Chapel of the Cross