YES to Confirmation
The parish of Blaina and Nantyglo enjoyed a very busy but joyous September, with a confirmation service one week and hosting YES, the Youth Eucharistic Service, the following week.
A very warm welcome greeted all who attended St Anne’s to support the six confirmation candidates. As a church family, we enjoyed a good mix of generations.
Bridie found herself very nervous on the day but said that the ceremony added a new spiritual dimension to life. Pat found the ceremony curiously intimate while sharing with many other people who offered love and support. Malcolm asked if being confirmed was worthwhile at his age (3 score and 10!) and is now able to give an emphatic YES! On returning to church as an adult, he has discovered a faith that is continuing to grow and encourage all areas of his life.
The young people who attended to support friends found the ceremony absorbing. The Bishop’s special robes added to the occasion rather than being a distraction and made the experience special to all.
“Wow”, “totally awesome”, outstanding”, “cool”. No, not the Bishop! but some of the comments expressed by the young people following the YES service. Joining together with other parishes from the diocese allowed us to be aware that we are part of something much greater than our own small fellowships.
YES was met with great enthusiasm by the young and less young of Blaina and Nantyglo and showed us that today’s church is both an interesting and informative forum. As young Harmony said, it was hard to fall asleep during this service as there was something going on all the time, from video footage to coloured lights and bubbles. Even the youngest members of the congregation were enthralled.