Milestone Ministry is a way of passing faith among the generations. Gathering together multiple generations, several of life’s milestones are recognized and shaped by Vibrant Faith Ministries’ Four Keys: Caring Conversations, Devotions, Rituals and Traditions, and Service. [click here] for Milestone Ministry Dates.

Vibrant Faith Ministries teaches that these four elements are a part of each milestone:

• “Naming the sacred and ordinary events that are recognized in the daily life of individuals and households – our beginnings, endings, transitions, achievements, failures, and rites of passages – creates rituals and traditions that shape our identities and give us a sense of belonging in the family of God.”
  
  
• “Equipping brings the generations together, builds community, invites conversations, encourages storytelling, and provides information.”
  
  
• “Blessing the individual, and marking significant occasions in a worship service or in the home, declares God’s presence in meaningful ways.”
  
  
• “Gifting is a tangible, visible item that serves as a reminder or symbol of the occasion being marked, as well as a resource for the ongoing nurture of faith in daily life.”

Most Milestone Ministry classes are held during the Education Hour on Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. A parent, grandparent, or caregiver must accompany the student. Families who participate are recognized in worship during the 10:30 a.m. worship service on the day of the last class. (There is no Church School on Sundays or Wednesdays when a milestone class is offered.)

These are the milestones we will celebrate as a congregation:

Blessing of Backpacks as Sunday School students begin a new school year! Students and teachers of all ages with their backpacks and briefcases will be blessed on Aug. 29 during the Rally Sunday services.

Kindergarten - Early Confirmation classes will be Sept.19 and 26 at 9:15 a.m. Families will learn about *Encouraging Positive Friendships* as students begin their elementary careers. Recognition will be Sept. 28 during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

1st - 2nd Grades - Early Confirmation classes will be Oct. 10 and 17 at 9:15 a.m. Families will talk about prayer. Recognition will be Oct. 17 at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

3rd Grade - Early Confirmation classes will be at 9:15 a.m. on Nov.14, 21, and 28, as students receive their first Bible from the church. Students will be recognized at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Nov. 28.

Baptismal 1st Birthday - Families whose child was baptized within the previous year will be invited to come and share some baptismal birthday cake on Jan. 9 at 9:15 a.m. Families will also be recognized in worship at the 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. service that day and will be given a gift from the church.

4th Grade - Early Confirmation classes will be held Jan. 9, 16, and 23 at 9:15 a.m. Families will talk about baptism and what it means for daily life. Students will be recognized in worship on Jan. 23 at the 10:30 a.m. service.

5th Grade - Early Confirmation classes will be at 9:15 a.m. on Feb. 13, 20, and 27. Families will learn about the sacrament of Holy Communion, a significant milestone in our faith journey. Students will be recognized in worship on Feb. 27 at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

6th Grade - Early Confirmation classes will be at 9:15 a.m. on March 13, 20, and 27 as families learn about Martin Luther and prepare to enter into junior high confirmation. The pavement will be laid for students to go full-speed ahead into the journey toward affirming their baptism. Recognition will be on March 27 at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

High School - Students who have been given their driver's license within the past year will be invited to bring a family member to be recognized and car keys will be blessed at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, December 5.

Affirmation of Baptism - 8th grade students who have completed confirmation classes will be recognized in worship on May 1 at the 10:30 a.m. service. 

High School Graduation - Students graduating from high school will be recognized in worship on May 29 at the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services, as they are sent out to be servants in the world as the Holy Spirit shapes their vocations.