Our confirmands recently had the opportunity to attend Shekinah, the Metro DC Synod youth event for 7th and 8th graders. The theme for the weekend was Grace Almighty: No Questions Asked. No Stings Attached. No Fine Print.

We spent the weekend talking about God’s grace and how it relates to our lives. The overall concept was to have the youth learn that God’s grace is a gift that is freely given to each one of us. We talked about how forgiveness, compassion, and mercy are all part of God’s grace.

Throughout the weekend, we participated in a variety of activities. We had large group sessions with all the youth and adults present, small group sessions where we were divided up with people that we didn’t know, E-groups (experience groups which usually involved games to strengthen large and small groups) and worship.

One of the E-groups was called the “Blessings Barn.” During this E-group the youth had to go around to different blessing stations and do tasks to receive a blessing on their card. However, there was a catch. To enter the blessings barn the youth had to carry a pass card – a grey brick. The youth had to hold the brick the entire time. If they put their brick down an adult could take away one of their blessings.

Following this E-Group we separated into our small groups where we processed the activity. We talked about how the brick represented our burdens – our sins. During the discussion the youth wrote and drew pictures on their bricks of the things weighing them down. Some wrote “sin,” others “lying,” others “peer pressure.”

These bricks were then made into a wall in front of the altar at worship on Saturday evening with “SIN” written across the front of them. During the absolution of our sins, the wall was taken apart brick by brick. Each youth received a brick and in turn gave it to one of the adults who made a pathway from the wall. The chaplain for the event talked about how the wall became a pathway because of God’s grace – his forgiveness, compassion, and mercy.

God’s grace is freely given to each of us. There are no questions asked of us. There aren’t any strings attached and there isn’t any fine print. It is a gift. In our large and small group sessions we talked about how we can share God’s grace with other people. In my small group the youth talked a lot about forgiving people who hurt them because God has forgiven them. They also talked about being compassionate to other youth at their schools that don’t have a friend.

God’s grace surrounds us. As disciples, we are challenged to be compassionate, forgiving, and merciful because of what God has done for us. Who are the people in our lives that we should forgive or show mercy to? Who can we show compassion to?

God’s grace is a gift. Grace Almighty: No Questions Asked. No Strings Attached. No Fine Print.

Pastor Wendy