by JEANNINE WARD,
West Des Moines, Iowa, USA
In the spring of 2011, Northwest Des Moines Congregation in Iowa experienced the joy of welcoming six new members, including three who joined through confirmation.
Helen and her mother, Oretha, previously were baptized into the Church of Christ. They left Liberia because of the civil war. Oretha Tarwo was baptized in a river in Ivory Coast in 2000. Helen Menyon was baptized in a river at a refugee camp in Ghana in 2005.
After studying Sharing in Community of Christ, Oretha announced she wanted the congregation to become her family in January 2011. She found encouragement from Jan, a priest in our congregation.
Helen has been connected to the congregation more than four years. She came with her father from Africa in February 2007. Her father was baptized and confirmed in 2010. Helen’s confirmation experience was one of joy and love.
Joel Higgins also joined through confirmation. He was baptized as a teenager.
Through the invitation of a friend and a couple in the congregation, he attended Sunday school and services for six months. He was eager to join Community of Christ and was confirmed on Palm Sunday. Joel said he decided to be confirmed because he felt God’s call.
