2022-23 Confirmation Year hits the ground running
Confirmation involves not just the students, but their Families, as well. These are Mamerlund Families,
Confirmation involves not just the students, but their Families, as well. These are Bethesda Families,
Confirmation involves not just the students, but their Families, as well. These are Munson Lake Families,
Confirmation involves not just the students, but their Families, as well. These are Munson Lake Families,
Confirmation Schedule and Information
September:
7: Orientation/Introduction
14:
21:
28:
October:
5:
12: No Confirmation
19: No Confirmation - MEA
26:
November:
2:
9:
16:
23: No Confirmation –Thxgvg
30:
December:
7:
14:
21: Christmas party
28: No Confirmation - Xmas
January:
4:
11:
18:
25:
29:
February:
1:
8:
15
22: Ash Wednesday
March:
1: Lenten Journey Week 1
8: Lenten Journey Week 2
15: Lenten Journey Week 3
22: Lenten Journey Week 4
29: Lenten Journey Week 5
April
5:
12:
19:
26:
Additional dates for 9th Graders
Saturday April 1: All-day Retreat
Sunday April 16: CONFIRMATION/ AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
Lent –
Feb 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
Students and their mentors will receive instructions as they arrive on Wednesday evenings and
will work through the lesson as a team. If it is the student’s week to assist with the meals or worship, the mentor is encouraged to work alongside their student.
7: Orientation/Introduction
14:
21:
28:
October:
5:
12: No Confirmation
19: No Confirmation - MEA
26:
November:
2:
9:
16:
23: No Confirmation –Thxgvg
30:
December:
7:
14:
21: Christmas party
28: No Confirmation - Xmas
January:
4:
11:
18:
25:
29:
February:
1:
8:
15
22: Ash Wednesday
March:
1: Lenten Journey Week 1
8: Lenten Journey Week 2
15: Lenten Journey Week 3
22: Lenten Journey Week 4
29: Lenten Journey Week 5
April
5:
12:
19:
26:
Additional dates for 9th Graders
Saturday April 1: All-day Retreat
Sunday April 16: CONFIRMATION/ AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
Lent –
Feb 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
Students and their mentors will receive instructions as they arrive on Wednesday evenings and
will work through the lesson as a team. If it is the student’s week to assist with the meals or worship, the mentor is encouraged to work alongside their student.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR CONFIRMATION
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
6:30pm Large Group Lesson
7:00pm Small Group Discussion Time
7:30pm Activity
8:00pm Dismissal
Small group discussion time will include further work into the lesson taught, check-ins, preparations for that evening’s devotions when your group is scheduled, various projects and service activities.
The 2022-2023 Curriculum is the first year of a three-year rotating curriculum. This curriculum uses the Bible as a framework for diving into topics such as the 10 commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed, the sacraments, Lutheran beliefs, and active faith. We will use the “Confirm Not Conform” and additional sources.
“We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect His word and the preaching of it but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.”
Luther's Small Catechism, Explanation to 3rd Commandment
EXPECTATIONS OF PARTICIPANTS
All of our expectations are linked to the promises students will make at their Affirmation of Baptism, the same ones made at their baptism.
Our goals is to help students more fully understand those promises.
Over the course of three years of confirmation, students will:
SMALL GROUP CONNECTIONS
Small Group relationships are essential in our model of confirmation, and the group leaders are assigned for the entire three years of the Confirmation rotation. Since these relationships cross various boundaries beyond other communities and school lines, we encourage students to open their hearts to really getting to know one another and establishing friendships with one another. Many of the activities we do are developed with this in mind.
STUDENT MENTOR Students should begin considering if they have someone in their world who would be willing and able to participate with them in various learning projects this year in a mentorship role. The individual will be asked to attend one Wednesday in October and November, one Sunday in December and then several Wednesdays from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week. The mentor must be an adult, as someone who has a growing faith. We have individuals in the congregation willing and able to step up into this role, if needed.
WORSHIP PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to attend a minimum of one Sunday worship service per month. It is also possible to attend a different church for credit – just bring back a bulletin to share with your small group.
STUDENT JOURNALS
Students will be given a journal to use for both Wednesday evening activities for reflecting on their worship experiences, taking notes on what they are hearing and seeing. Service reflection questions are provided. You can give your journal to the pastor after Sunday worship. The pastor will read them and respond back to the student by Wednesday!
ATTENDANCE
Students who are unable to attend Confirmation on a given Wednesday evening will be given a written form of that week’s lesson as homework. This will include some reading as well as some reflection questions to be returned to the pastors.
LARGE GROUP SERVICE PROJECTS
Students will be encouraged to participate in all service projects that will be organized and executed by the congregation.
INDIVIDUAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Youth involvement in all aspects of church life is essential. We hope they come to understand that they are an important part of the ACT Parish’s ministry work into the world. With that understanding, all confirmation students are expected to actively participate in church life, completing 36 “acts of service” throughout their three years of confirmation.
There are many, many ways to do this. We’ve attached a list to this booklet, but feel free to ask about other ideas you might have. Be creative and follow the Spirit’s prompting!
SERVICE REQUIREMENT IDEAS
Note: Most items must be completed outside of Confirmation Nights
Wednesday night opportunities:
Other ideas? Just check with Pastor!
- To provide basic, quality instruction in the Christian faith and Lutheran tradition for the youth of our church, grades 7-9.
- To help students grow living faith in God’s promise and build community through:
- class participation
- small group interaction
- serving others in the name of Christ
- worship
- fellowship
- To guide the youth of the church to a day when they will stand before the people of God to affirm God’s promise of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life, thereby taking a greater role in the life of the church.
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
6:30pm Large Group Lesson
7:00pm Small Group Discussion Time
7:30pm Activity
8:00pm Dismissal
Small group discussion time will include further work into the lesson taught, check-ins, preparations for that evening’s devotions when your group is scheduled, various projects and service activities.
The 2022-2023 Curriculum is the first year of a three-year rotating curriculum. This curriculum uses the Bible as a framework for diving into topics such as the 10 commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed, the sacraments, Lutheran beliefs, and active faith. We will use the “Confirm Not Conform” and additional sources.
“We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect His word and the preaching of it but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.”
Luther's Small Catechism, Explanation to 3rd Commandment
EXPECTATIONS OF PARTICIPANTS
All of our expectations are linked to the promises students will make at their Affirmation of Baptism, the same ones made at their baptism.
Our goals is to help students more fully understand those promises.
Over the course of three years of confirmation, students will:
- Develop relationships with small groups and mentors
- Explore and memorize scripture
- Attend Wednesday confirmation classes regularly
- Attend Sunday worship, completing 30 sermon notes
- Complete 36 service credits
SMALL GROUP CONNECTIONS
Small Group relationships are essential in our model of confirmation, and the group leaders are assigned for the entire three years of the Confirmation rotation. Since these relationships cross various boundaries beyond other communities and school lines, we encourage students to open their hearts to really getting to know one another and establishing friendships with one another. Many of the activities we do are developed with this in mind.
STUDENT MENTOR Students should begin considering if they have someone in their world who would be willing and able to participate with them in various learning projects this year in a mentorship role. The individual will be asked to attend one Wednesday in October and November, one Sunday in December and then several Wednesdays from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week. The mentor must be an adult, as someone who has a growing faith. We have individuals in the congregation willing and able to step up into this role, if needed.
WORSHIP PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to attend a minimum of one Sunday worship service per month. It is also possible to attend a different church for credit – just bring back a bulletin to share with your small group.
STUDENT JOURNALS
Students will be given a journal to use for both Wednesday evening activities for reflecting on their worship experiences, taking notes on what they are hearing and seeing. Service reflection questions are provided. You can give your journal to the pastor after Sunday worship. The pastor will read them and respond back to the student by Wednesday!
ATTENDANCE
Students who are unable to attend Confirmation on a given Wednesday evening will be given a written form of that week’s lesson as homework. This will include some reading as well as some reflection questions to be returned to the pastors.
LARGE GROUP SERVICE PROJECTS
Students will be encouraged to participate in all service projects that will be organized and executed by the congregation.
INDIVIDUAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Youth involvement in all aspects of church life is essential. We hope they come to understand that they are an important part of the ACT Parish’s ministry work into the world. With that understanding, all confirmation students are expected to actively participate in church life, completing 36 “acts of service” throughout their three years of confirmation.
There are many, many ways to do this. We’ve attached a list to this booklet, but feel free to ask about other ideas you might have. Be creative and follow the Spirit’s prompting!
SERVICE REQUIREMENT IDEAS
Note: Most items must be completed outside of Confirmation Nights
- Participation in congregation service events
- Go on a Mission Trip
- Bring a (non-member) friend to worship
- Participate in youth events
- Be a Sunday Reader
- Act as Usher
- Act as Acolyte
- Act as a Communion Assistant
- Attend church panel or meeting
- Complete an individual service project
- Take pictures/write up events for the ACT Parish to share on social media
- Assist with Sunday School
- Assist with the Nursery
- Assist with snack at Fellowship Time
Wednesday night opportunities:
- Lead your small group devotions
- Invite and bring a (non-member) friend to Confirmation
- Come early and assist with the set-up
- Sing/Play an instrument during worship
Other ideas? Just check with Pastor!