Confirmation Faith Journey Statements

On May 9, 2021, five of Holy Cross' amazing young people Affirmed their Baptism and were confirmed. Below are their Faith Journey Statements that they read as part of the Affirmation of Baptism worship service.

Pictured above, left to right, front row:

Ryan Grell, Jonathan Wellsandt, Kora Grunke, Brooke Leaders, and Emma Leaders

Ryan Grell

To start my Faith Journey Statement, I thought I’d go all the way back to the beginning…of the Bible. The creation story. It’s arguably the most well known story in the Bible. Seven days, plants and animals, Adam and Eve, the snake. I’ve been learning about this story since Sunday School, as I’m guessing most of you have as well. But oddly enough, out of all the stories in the Bible, it was always that best known one that I just…couldn’t understand. Something about the whole thing just didn’t add up. Now I know what your thinking, snakes don’t talk Ryan. But I couldn’t even tell you the number of conversations I had with my mom, with her trying to explain the simple story to me. It took me 13 years to finally figure out what that story was trying to say to me. The people who wrote this, this story, they weren’t there, they didn’t see the creation of the world first hand. They were just ordinary, normal people. Writing these stories as explanations to things they didn’t understand. For a very long time I didn’t  understand that part. I thought that two people named Adam and Eve really were the first people, and that they named all the animals and got tricked by a talking snake. But after I finally figured it out, I was able to change the way I approached learning about that story, and really, the whole Bible. 

A second experience, one that shaped my faith journey more than any thing else, is going to church. I know, this is the most simple and obvious answer ever, but let me explain. For as long as I can remember, church was a big part of my life, like it or not. But mostly the former. It was just something about, the fellowship, the sense of community. Even from a very young age when I couldn’t really understand what was going on, it was a group of people I knew, experiencing the same things I was. It was the family of God I was baptized into 13 years ago, I just didn’t realize it yet. And it made me want to be the best person, and child of God that I could be. For me, a big part of the experience of going to church is the music. I’ve always loved music, and I’m a firm believer that it is one of the most powerful and meaningful mediums for the expression of thoughts and feelings. Maybe that’s why It’s through music that I’ve always best been able to feel, understand, and believe God’s messages of love, hope, and faith.

In general, I would say that I’m proud. Not, “look at me I’m amazing,” but the whole, “I don’t need any help I can do it all by myself”…that’s me.  But also, I know that I would not be where I am today on my faith journey,     if it weren’t for all the people in my life who helped me get here. First and foremost is my family, whose love and support has proven invaluable to me time and time again as I’ve struggled with life, and with my faith. They have always been there for me, and have helped me discover who I am, and what it means to be a child of God. Two other people who have helped me an incredible amount, just in the past few years are Pastor Jim and Kelsey. 
Before my family came to Holy Cross, I thought that worship was basically a fifty minute lecture about God and the Bible, with a few songs thrown in. But Pastor Jim’s worship and Kelsey’s teaching style was completely different, and it showed me that church wasn’t just a pastor talking at you about the Bible for an hour. It could be engaging, and interesting, and was about learning how to experience God in the world, and in our lives, as well as learning about the past. And confirmation taught me how to interact with other people my age, and connect with them through church. The final two people who have been the most influential in my faith journey are David Magnuson and Rohn Collins. Though I have only known them  a few years, they have taught me so much about the love and acceptance God has for all people no matter what. They helped me feel welcome in this congregation, and have inspired me to do the same for other people, and to be a better person over all. 

My whole life up until now has been leading up to this moment,  and my journey does not stop here. Confirmation was just one more step in the middle of my faith journey, and I am continuing on from here today equipped with the tools and knowledge of the first fourteen years of my life, to go out into the world and serve God as best I can. 

Kora Grunke

Hello, my name is Kora Grunke. Throughout my life there have been many people who have influenced me on my faith journey. Pastor Jim & Kelsey made sure at the end of every zoom meeting that we knew how much they loved us. We would all very awkwardly be sitting at home on zoom and say both their names at very different times every week because they love us that much. Pastor Jim is the best tube puller, car singer, and Red Headed-Loon leader. He’s taught us many ways of how to live life to the fullest while on our faith journey with God. The friends I have made during Sunday school when I was young have stuck with me until the end confirmation today. 

Those same friends went with me on many youth trips and gatherings. Playing pool in the basement with each other was always the best part. I remember one gathering we went to an assisted living home. We were all very hesitant at first to interact with the residents,  but once we started talking to them it ended up being very fun. We fed their squirrels, helped clean out their kitchen, and some of us even painted their nails. Talking to people that don’t live life the same way as us was very eye-opening and a huge learning experience. Pantry has been something I have helped with for forever. Every third Wednesday of the month putting bags of food together for others that really need it is something I looked forward to. Knowing that my faith can bring other families happiness is a big part of my faith journey.  

Many times during Wednesday church services, we have had to light a candle and think of something specific while we are placing it into the bowl. Occasionally, the topic will be problems that the world is facing. Hearing all these problems makes me feel really grateful for my life on my faith journey. You never realize how many issues others are facing. To know that God has helped me and guided me through my life makes me filled with gratitude. I know that I haven’t had nearly as many challenges as others. Toward the end of confirmation, Pastor Jim started reading us Psalm 23. The line that has always stuck out to me was “He restores my soul.” To me, faith is about your relationship with God. When decisions and life can get hard, I know that God will always be there to fill my soul back up. 

When I was a baby I had no clue what it meant when I was getting baptized. It didn’t faze me that God wanted to have a personal relationship with me and would love me no matter what. But now through many years of church services, Sunday School, and confirmation, I have learned that God will always be there to catch you when you fall. That is what my life on my faith journey has been about.

Brooke Leaders 

Hello, my name is Brooke. Serving others has been an important part of my faith journey. During confirmation, we helped with pantry prep. It was a time when I helped give back to a group of people who needed help. 
After a couple of months of helping out with pantry prep, I helped when the people came to get food. This showed me the importance of helping.  I also saw the importance of serving others when we went to the Middle School Gathering. Besides getting closer as friends, but we also went to a retirement home and helped put away groceries and clean some cabinets.

Serving others has helped me want to give back more, which is why I really like helping out with pantry prep. I think it is good to give back to our community because it’s the right thing to do. 
If we also need help we would want help as well. When I give back to others it makes me feel good and a lot happier. Helping others, I believe helps yourself have a good mindset.

Some people that have been a part of my faith journey have been Pastor Jim and Kelsey. They helped me understand myself more, and learn even more about the Bible. They also made confirmation a lot of fun!  My dance teacher Kiah Shaw was an influence on my faith journey     by showing me different ways to feel God's presence, through dance and meditation. Lighting candles and praying for other people during church     shaped my faith journey by helping me think of people who are in need, even though they might not even know me.

I plan to continue my faith journey after confirmation by helping with pantry prep. I will also go on mission trips and help other people. I will also try to go to church every Sunday. I will also try to strengthen my relationship with God. I will try to help others as much as I can.

Emma Leaders

Hi, I’m Emma Leaders. Many people have been helpful in my Faith Journey, my friends, family, and Pastor Jim. My family always inspire me to do good things to other people. My friends have always been there for me, through happy days and sad days. Pastor Jim has always been there for me and the others, ever since we were little.

Events I’ve attended that helped shape my Faith Journey is helping with the pantry prep. Before I just liked doing pantry prep because it was fun to talk to my friends about stuff other than church, but one morning my mom signed us up to help with the pantry. I didn’t mind helping out, but I noticed that there were a lot more people than I expected. I was shocked at that and thought,  if all these families in Omaha don’t have enough food, there are probably so many more people around the world that don’t have enough food. Now, every time I do pantry prep, I keep in mind that doing this is helping a family in need.

I plan to continue my Faith Journey by going to Church more often and helping others.  By doing so, my faith in God and Jesus should strengthen. My Faith Journey experience may be different than others, but I would never change it. Thank you for listening.

Jonathan Wellsandt

Hi, I’m Jonathan Wellsandt. There have been many things that have affected my Faith Journey,     from people and words to events and objects. My faith has been supported by my family (Hi, Mom & Dad! Don’t cry, Mom!) and my church, with their words and example. Pastor Jim has been an excellent life coach. I love how he provided me with more Bible background information, but I especially love his focus on how we should care for everyone, no matter what. There have been many others guiding me along the way, from Miss Kelsey and Miss Becky to Miss Deb K. and my Sunday School teachers, but if I listed all the ways my church family has helped me, we’d be here a while! 

There have also been some important events that have affected my Faith Journey. One activity was helping to build the Free Little Library and Pantry. It helped me better understand what it is to care for and give to the community. I enjoy being able to share reading with everyone, even people I don’t know! I also enjoyed attending two middle school gathering and this year’s Ungathering. 
These events helped me connect with kids across the state, building community with others who are different from me. One thing I really enjoyed about the gathering was when we were able to go serve others. For one, we went to a care center for people with disabilities. The work wasn’t hard but helping people who appreciated us really felt good.

One of my favorite things about worship is the music. I remember enjoying it when I was too young to understand what Pastor Jim was talking about. The lyrics often help me understand the message, and I think it’s neat to hear everyone’s voices or instruments blending together.

I plan to continue to find ways to contribute to my church family. I will keep attending on Wednesdays, this time in youth group. I’m finally a “big kid” who will get to go on the “big bus” to serve others! I hope to be able to contribute to the music part of worship again soon, with bells or singing or maybe even playing the drums. I hope to find new ways to learn about my faith and spread love through serving others.

Thank you, church family!