Intro | Springfield, Ill. | Watertown, Wis.

Confirmands Find Fullness of Life in Christ

James Cooper - Springfield, Ill.

James Cooper, who lives independently in a Springfield supported living apartment (SLA) with supports from Bethesda, has been welcomed and supported by his partner congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church in Springfield for a year and a half. This year marked a milestone as James was baptized and confirmed at Trinity.

Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services' Chaplaincy Representative Deaconess Rosemary Williams reflects on James' confirmation day with great pride. "James was really ready to take this step. His questioning took place at the SLA with Trinity's Rev. Michael Strong, and was witnessed by a church elder; his teacher, Rosemary Williams; and me. James was asked the same questions as anyone else would be asked before being confirmed - and James just shone. It was so wonderful to see him publicly confess his faith."

James was then baptized and confirmed by Trinity's Rev. William Schroeder at the eleven o'clock service; in attendance were friends of James from Bethesda, his Aunt June, his teacher, and Deaconess Rosemary.

James' teacher, Trinity Special Education Director Virginia Owens, also found the experience rewarding. For more than 35 years, she has provided religious education to both children and adults at Trinity.

"The church was looking for someone to teach people who had developmental disabilities," says Virginia. "The mother of a child with disabilities had started a class, but she was older and was ready to step down from teaching. I decided to volunteer."

According to Virginia, much has changed in 35 years. "When I first got involved, I went to the library and researched education and training for people with disabilities. I couldn't believe it, but back then the notion was that anyone with a developmental disability should not be included in the life of his or her community or family," she remarks. "Parents were told to separate their child who had developmental disabilities from his or her siblings, and they certainly weren't encouraged to seek out an education or a future for him or her. That's when I realized how courageous this mother who began the class at Trinity had been. It was humbling to think about."

Throughout the years and the many changes in the field of developmental disability services, Virginia has worked with many at Trinity: children of Trinity's own families, people served by Goodwill Industries in Springfield, people served by Springfield Aid to Dependent Citizens, and, since the beginning of its programs in Springfield, many who are served by Bethesda. Virginia says she was pleasantly surprised when James expressed an interest in confirmation instruction.

"James had been attending Trinity for several months, but didn't show much interest in the life of the congregation," says Virginia. "He seemed to have a negative view of church. But then Deaconess Rosemary joined Bethesda, and she really connected with James. She encouraged him to be involved, and things really turned around. I can't believe the change. James is now a part of the life of the congregation - and he's happy about it."

While Virginia cites Deaconess Rosemary's influence, Rosemary sees it differently: "I was the person who initially talked to James about confirmation, but James was the one who made the decision. And, it was James, with Virginia's instruction, who did all the work of studying."

James and Virginia worked together for a year as James mastered the confirmation materials. Every Thursday night, they studied in the activity room of James's apartment building. They used volumes I and II of My Confirmation Book and Confirming Faith in Jesus; both titles are published by Bethesda.

Virginia says the most beneficial method for teaching her students is the use of repetition. She presents the same lesson in two or three different ways to help her students retain the information. Over the years, she's found that stories about Jesus are the most interesting to her students.

Virginia says she's proud of James and of all her students. "I find a lot of satisfaction doing this. It's been a blessing to me to be able to provide instruction to my students; there are so many wonderful things they have given me in return."

The people who lived at Bethesda's ICF in Springfield, which was located across the street from James' apartment, have now moved into houses in other parts of Springfield. This means that fewer staff people are available who can offer James rides to church, so Virginia has begun picking him up on Sundays. "He's always waiting and ready to go to church," she says.

For James, the support of people like Virginia, Deaconess Rosemary, his pastors, and his fellow parishioners at Trinity have been a blessing to him, as well. Their willingness to open their doors and their hearts to people who have developmental disabilities has provided him with the spiritual nurture that will enable him to truly live a full life.

Confirmands Find Fullness of Life in Christ

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• Patrick Galati, Donald Dieterle, Andrew Fabian, Douglas Schlender, Robert Bortz & Claude Monck - Watertown, Wis.