A milestone is any event in the lives of children, youth, or adults that we can use to celebrate and nurture faith development. Faith formation is a lifelong journey that begins in baptism. By celebrating milestones along the way, we recognize the ways that God is present in our lives. We celebrate what God is doing with, through, and among us as we grow in faith together.

Most milestones includes a workshop (usually held on a Saturday) for families, followed by a special time of blessing during a worship service.

Milestones Celebrated at St. Paul:

Baptism

Baptism welcomes us into God's family. This milestone is celebrated on an individual basis and begins with a consultation with the pastors. All those baptized at St. Paul are gifted with a quilt as a reminder of the way God’s love surrounds us.

Stepping Into Sunday School (age 3)

Celebrated in September, this milestone recognizes the exciting step our children make as they enter Sunday School. The workshop time includes time for parents to explore ways to fulfill the promises made in baptism through faith practices in the home. It also allows the children a time to get acquainted with their Sunday School teachers, classroom, and some of the regular activities that take place in Sunday School.

Workshop: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Blessing: Sunday September 27, 2009

Welcome to the Lord's Table (grade 2 and up)

As Lutherans, we recognize that one way God's grace comes to us is in the celebration of Holy Communion. This milestone is usually celebrated in the weeks preceding Holy Week/Easter and allows families to discover Jesus' promises to us in the last supper that we celebrate in Holy Communion. At the end of this workshop students celebrate their first communion during Holy Week services.

Stepping Into God's Word (grade 3 and up)

As students become independent readers, it is a natural time to fulfill the baptismal promise to place the scriptures into the hands of our children. In a workshop conducted in the fall (usually in October) Families learn some basics about the Bible as well as ways to use the scriptures for daily reading and family devotions. Children are each presented with a Bible of their own in worship.

Imago Dei (grades 6-8)

Transitioning into the teen years can be a confusing, yet wonderful, time for families.  Through this workshop students and parents will learn and practice communication skills and techniques as we explore what it means to be created in God’s image.  This milestone will be conducted in a 3-year rotation with 2 other topics: relationships in 2010-2011, and stewardship in 2011-2012.

Workshop and Blessing to be held in early October, 2009.

Confirmation (grade 8)

At the end of our three-year Confirmation program, students are given the opportunity to make public affirmation of their baptism. Usually celebrated the third Sunday in May, students make profession of faith in worship and continue their faith journey as full members of the congregation. In the final preparations for this milestone, families make plans to serve in ministries of the congregation and commit to continuing on the journey of faith that began in baptism.

Stepping Into the World (high school graduation)

As our students graduate, we celebrate with families and we recognize the ways our youth move toward independence. Celebrated in early June, graduates each receive a quilt to take with them into the next stage in their lives as a reminder of the love and care of their families and the congregation. There is also a very special time of blessing for our students as well as for the parents of the graduates.

Celebrating Our Elders (age 86 and older)

A life-long faith is something to be celebrated! During a worship service in the spring we recognize the ways our older members have passed the faith along to the following generations.

Other Milestones will be added in future years.

For more information and resources about Milestone Ministry, visit the youth and family institute website.