The Faith Christian School Ring Ceremony is hosted the first weekend of November in the Library. Following the blessing by parents, all 9th - 12th-grade students go to the Great Room to fellowship, enjoy snacks, and dance at an event titled Vesperia.

In Jewish culture, bar mitzvah marks the transition between childhood and adulthood. The lion hunt distinguishes a Maasai tribesman from a warrior. In many parts of Central and South America, young girls celebrate their Quinceanera as a coming-of-age tradition. In modern American culture, however, there is no such common rite of passage for young people. To fill this gap, the Ring Ceremony is a long-standing Faith Christian School tradition to complement other family traditions and coming-of-age ceremonies of the church. 

The purpose of the event is to give parents an opportunity to offer a blessing and present to their eleventh-grade student a class ring or special memento (e.g., watch, necklace, Bible). Following the ring ceremony, Upper School students will attend a social time of snacks, fellowship, and dancing in a beautifully decorated Great Room. The students choose a theme each year and decorate the Great Room accordingly. This event is called Vesperia, which is the Latin word for evening. It is certainly an evening to remember for parents and students alike! 

The event is a favorite among parents, students, and faculty. It is a special time for hearing from parents what they see and affirm in their children. There are not many communities that offer parents the opportunity to stand and publicly affirm, bless, and charge their child in front of their peers. It is affirming for the students to see how their parents see God's glory being lived out in them on a daily basis and to hear their parents’ hopes for them in the future.

I have been attending The Ring Ceremony and Vesperia since 2015. I was the faculty advisor for many years and loved helping the students plan and execute such a memorable event. I love sharing in the excitement of picking a theme, planning, and decorating for the event. The best part of the evening is the Ring Ceremony when the parents stand before their child and publicly bless them. As a Middle and Upper School teacher and administrator, it is a privilege to partner with the parents in loving, discipling, and educating their children. Hearing from parents about the impact that the school has had on their children always brings me to tears! Additionally, watching the students' faces as their parents affirm and bless them in front of their friends and family is such a special moment. I love that these kids hear out loud and publicly how their own parents see God's glory in them. It is my absolute favorite tradition of Faith Christian School! This year I participated as not only an administrator but a mom. I will forever cherish the memories of standing by my daughter and hearing my husband speak truth and love to our daughter. Yes, I cried! :-)”

- Kristan Brown, Divisions Head, Mom to Rachelle, Class of 2024 and Lincoln, Class of 2027