Feeling 2023
When Jennifer gave birth to our youngest child, Nathan, in February 2005, I did what lots of parents do. I did the math to determine what the year would be when Nathan would graduate high school. I had done this twice before, so I was a little better at my calculations this time around. He would be in the graduating class of 2023.
2023. The year might as well had been 2073. Or 2323. It seemed so far away. Would we have flying cars by then? Would college students teleport to their campuses? Would computer programs write his college essays for him? Who knew?
Our world has changed so drastically in his lifetime. We have experienced unprecedented changes and life events very few were prepared for. Nathan and his peers have been shaped for adulthood very differently than any other generation. It is too soon to tell what impact the events of his childhood and adolescence will have on this group of graduates, but some initial studies might surprise us.
As a whole, this group of young adults are more ready to take their place in the adult world than they often are given credit for. Sure, they have their quirks and they certainly navigate the world differently than their parents and grandparents, but overall, they love and serve and care very deeply. And while the Church seems to be losing ground along many demographic categories, there is a hunger and a strong desire among young people to fill their lives with the hope and meaning we find in religion and spiritual matters.
Jennifer and I made a promise when we baptized Nathan a few weeks after he was born. Standing in front of a makeshift altar in the cafeteria of the middle school where our new church plant was meeting, we vowed to give him every opportunity possible to experience God’s love in Christ through the faithful Christian community. Nathan has experienced that in three different United Methodist congregations in his lifetime. And we are grateful for the people in his life who have helped him grow in his faith.
My prayer for him and his classmates is that the seeds of faith that have borne fruit in them so far will continue to grow. I pray that they will remain connected to the church and seek out opportunities to be disciples of Jesus Christ wherever they are. I also pray that they will continue to have mentors in their lives who will invest in them.
The next few weeks may be a bit emotional for your pastor and his spouse as we celebrate our youngest child’s high school graduation. I hope you’ll be patient with me! But more than that, I hope you will be patient with this group of young people as they claim a new place in the world. May we live with hope and joy and trust that as we remain connected to God and each other, we will see God’s kingdom come right here in our midst.
With love, and joy, serving as your pastor,
John McLarty