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Dear St. John's Families,
Tomorrow is our Rite 13 ceremony and all children will learn more about what it is and why we believe it's important. Everyone will have a special role to play, as the community of friends that will support these participants. Some youth have already participated in this, and some are looking at a milestone yet to come.
Rite 13 is a special ceremony to honor the transition from childhood to adolescence - most kids go through the Rite around the age 13 (not everyone has to be exactly 13). Leaving childhood and looking down the path toward teenager-dom and then adulthood can feel really exciting and sometimes scary. Sometimes we feel like we’re not ready for all that comes - the feelings, the changes - sometimes we feel like we can’t WAIT for all that lies ahead. It can be an exhilarating and confusing time, for both youth and their parents.
Our church community is in a particularly wonderful position to honor and celebrate these young teens and their families. And so all children and youth, and everyone in church on Sunday morning will stand up with Camden, Emily, and Emma to say “We love you, we believe in you, and we’re on your team!”
All children will be escorted upstairs with their Sunday school classes for the ceremony. You will notice reserved rows toward the front of the sanctuary for our youngest members to sit together. Any children at church are welcome and encouraged to come close to the ceremony in this way.
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