This journal is for you―your map to the faith journey you’ve started by beginning the confirmation program I will, with God’s help . You’ll find lots of room to record your answers and your questions, your doubts and your decisions. So what’s inside? Prayer, scripture study, things to do between sessions and even notes on the meaning of difficult words in The Book of Common Prayer . (How about “creed”? The word creed comes from the Latin credere, which means “What I put my heart and trust into.”) And now, open the book and begin the journey. It’s your turn! Designed for use with sessions from the Leader’s Guide, I will, with God’s help: Episcopal Confirmation for Youth and Adults. The Rev. Mary Lee Wile is a high school teacher and a deacon in the diocese of Maine. She also leads Quiet Days and workshops on contemplative prayer. She has published religious and educational articles in The Living Church, The Witness, The Other Side, Education Week and Teacher Magazine. Mary Lee received a MTS from Bangor Theological Seminary with a focus on Congregational Life. I will, with God's help Youth Journal By Mary Lee Wile Church Publishing Incorporated Copyright © 2011 Mary Lee Wile All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-889108-74-2 CHAPTER 1 Baptismal Covenant Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father? People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Celebrant: Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? People: I will, with God's help. Celebrant: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? People: I will, with God's help. Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? People: I will, with God's help. Celebrant: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? People: I will, with God's help. Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? People: I will, with God's help. A Message for the Journey In the space below, write down the words your leader will read to you from Paul's letter to the Romans. Read them daily as you undertake this journey; they are a powerful reminder of God's unbreakable, unshakable love for you. Your Turn: "I Believe" Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father? People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Read back over Paul's words that you copied during the first session. When Christians call these words "comforting," they don't mean "cozy." Think about times in your life when you have felt God's love. Were any of these times hard times? Write about those times: How did you know that God was with you, even during those hard times? How do you know God's love now? How does God's love help you want to be confirmed? Describe (or draw) the stone you selected. Sit with the stone for a few minutes. What made you choose this particular stone? Does your stone "speak" to you? How? Are you and your stone alike in any ways? What ways? Jesus is the chief cornerstone of the Church: the whole Church is built on Jesus. Each of us is like a "stone" in the Church, too—part of the building. Which piece of the "building are you? (As always, you can draw or write your response.) Now think about your whole life. How do you live out your faith at home? At school? With your friends? At church? In the world? Where do you put your heart and your trust? Write down your "personal creed." (If you had time to do this during the first session, you can copy that creed here or even tape it in.) How does your life show that