Dirty confirmation kids C


In Wayland, Mass., the way they do confirmation has to do with the land


onfi rmation students at Peace Lutheran Church, Wayland, Mass., are getting all the dirt


on Martin Luther and his c atechism. While preparing the earth for


planting, turning the soil and pick- ing weeds, the fi ve students grow in their faith. T ey spend their class time outside in the garden (weather permitting) while volunteers read Scripture to them. Yes, you read that correctly—vol-


unteers walk with them and read to them.


Jeff L. Johnson, pastor of Peace,


sowed the seeds of this approach to confi rmation, suggesting last spring that students do their learning out- side while planting a vegetable and fl ower garden. It seemed like a good idea since the four girls and one boy were always asking to go outside any- way, he joked. Learning the spiritual- ity of the outdoors in addition to the Scriptures is a good thing, he added. It’s easy to be outside at Peace, 20


miles west of Boston, since its 3 acres are wooded and border conservation


By Wendy Healy


Anna Mullen, an intern from Harvard Divin- ity School, Cambridge, Mass., explores envi- ronmental ethics and sustainable agriculture while serving Peace Lutheran Church, Wayland, Mass., where confi rmation students work in the soil while hearing stories of faith.


SHUTTERSTOCK 34 www.thelutheran.org


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