As part of their confirmation journey, Rev. Derek van Gulden wanted the nine members of the class to look beyond their own walls by participating in some way with the UN Millennium movement.

So, the focus of this year's class teachings was on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals -- eight specific items including the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger worldwide by 2015.

The youth of Union committed themselves to learning about the issues and helping the public become more aware of these Goals:

• Eradicate extreme poverty & hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development

"These goals are an excellent way to talk about God's mission here on earth," said van Gulden. "The UCC is all about social justice and the MDG's are an excellent way to teach about social justice and helping others overcome oppression."

The program started with the youth writing to orphans in Kenya, where van Gulden had visited in the past. By corresponding, they got to learn first-hand what it was like to live in difficult circumstances -- to be homeless, hungry, or to have your family wiped out by HIV/AIDs.

"The most incredible thing about my confirmation experience was seeing the effects of our fundraising from the previous year, and how much of a difference it made in the lives of orphans in Africa," said Nikki Mingels, a member of the Confirmation class. The confirmation class raised $760 on their own and gave it to van Gulden to bring on his latest trip to Kenya. The money purchased mattresses, blankets, flip-flops for each child and maize flour for the households where the orphans live.

A large part of the Confirmation program was dedicated to putting together a worship service. The youth decided to put together a U2Charist service -- a service featuring music from the world-renowned rock band U2, whose leader Bono is involved in awareness of global issues -- to educate the public on the Goals.

Each member of the confirmation class contributed to the service, either by writing the prayers, putting together a screen presentation of local and global outreach photos, coordinating the recorded music and lyrics, or performing some of the U2 songs live.

The class also invited two African preachers, one East African and one West African, to talk about how all are a part of the global family of the body of Christ.

"I enjoyed listening to the two African preachers and hearing their different points of view and the way they think about things," said Kim Gleason, another member of the class.

Parishioners from seven neighboring churches attended the service; three UCC youth groups participated in the service itself. Over 118 people attended, despite the competition for time from local graduations and dance recitals.

"It was a good ending to the Confirmation class because it took everything we talked about in class and put it into practical use," said van Gulden. "If I sat them down and just talked to the youth about all these issues, it wouldn't be as powerful."

Gleason agreed. "This was a fun activity and much better than book work."

As one member of the congregation commented, "If the kids aren't ready to be confirmed after this, then I don't now what else you can do with them."

Rev. Derek van Gulden can be reached at the church office at 508-378-2874 or uccofeb@verizon.net.

You may reprint this story by including the following line in your article:
"Source: Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, www.macucc.org/spotlight"

As part of their confirmation journey, Rev. Derek van Gulden wanted the nine members of the class to look beyond their own walls by participating in some way with the UN Millennium movement.

So, the focus of this year's class teachings was on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals -- eight specific items including the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger worldwide by 2015.

The youth of Union committed themselves to learning about the issues and helping the public become more aware of these Goals:

• Eradicate extreme poverty & hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development

"These goals are an excellent way to talk about God's mission here on earth," said van Gulden. "The UCC is all about social justice and the MDG's are an excellent way to teach about social justice and helping others overcome oppression."

The program started with the youth writing to orphans in Kenya, where van Gulden had visited in the past. By corresponding, they got to learn first-hand what it was like to live in difficult circumstances -- to be homeless, hungry, or to have your family wiped out by HIV/AIDs.

"The most incredible thing about my confirmation experience was seeing the effects of our fundraising from the previous year, and how much of a difference it made in the lives of orphans in Africa," said Nikki Mingels, a member of the Confirmation class. The confirmation class raised $760 on their own and gave it to van Gulden to bring on his latest trip to Kenya. The money purchased mattresses, blankets, flip-flops for each child and maize flour for the households where the orphans live.

A large part of the Confirmation program was dedicated to putting together a worship service. The youth decided to put together a U2Charist service -- a service featuring music from the world-renowned rock band U2, whose leader Bono is involved in awareness of global issues -- to educate the public on the Goals.

Each member of the confirmation class contributed to the service, either by writing the prayers, putting together a screen presentation of local and global outreach photos, coordinating the recorded music and lyrics, or performing some of the U2 songs live.

The class also invited two African preachers, one East African and one West African, to talk about how all are a part of the global family of the body of Christ.

"I enjoyed listening to the two African preachers and hearing their different points of view and the way they think about things," said Kim Gleason, another member of the class.

Parishioners from seven neighboring churches attended the service; three UCC youth groups participated in the service itself. Over 118 people attended, despite the competition for time from local graduations and dance recitals.

"It was a good ending to the Confirmation class because it took everything we talked about in class and put it into practical use," said van Gulden. "If I sat them down and just talked to the youth about all these issues, it wouldn't be as powerful."

Gleason agreed. "This was a fun activity and much better than book work."

As one member of the congregation commented, "If the kids aren't ready to be confirmed after this, then I don't now what else you can do with them."

Rev. Derek van Gulden can be reached at the church office at 508-378-2874 or uccofeb@verizon.net.

You may reprint this story by including the following line in your article:
"Source: Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, www.macucc.org/spotlight"