2014-2015 St. John’s Lutheran Church 9th Grade Confirmation Program 1
I. Purpose of Confirmation
Why do we do confirmation?
The ultimate purposes of confirmation are: to develop maturing Christian young people, to help young people love Jesus the way he loves them, and to provide young people a platform from which to claim the promises of baptism.
How are these purposes accomplished?
Through Relationships :· With Parents
· With Peers
· With Mentors
· With Other Caring, Christian Adults / Through Parental Involvement in the Child’s Discipleship:
· At Home
· At Church
· In the World / Through Experiences:
· Of Grace
· Of Faith-Life Connections
· Of Service
· Of Cross-Generational, Christian Fellowship
· Of Worship
Through Freedom:
· To Wrestle with Difficult and Scary Questions
· To Be Honest about Doubts and Struggles / Through Understanding:
· Of Scripture
· Of Tradition and Theology (catechesis)
II. 9th Grade Confirmation Overview
The 9th grade confirmation class will have four Sunday morning sessions throughout the fall focusing on Lutheran history and theology. These sessions will be held in the Couch Room next to the Youth Room from 9:45-10:45am. On these weeks, the students will meet separately from the weekly Sunday morning High School Youth Group. However, 9th graders are asked to attend the Sunday morning Youth Group from 9:45-10:45am in the Youth Room on the weeks when the 9th grade class is not meeting specifically for confirmation.
On November 15-16, the class will have a lock-in. Students will spend time together on Saturday and stay the night at the church. The specific times of the retreat are yet to be determined. Students will be given instructions to write their Faith Statements at home. The statements will be submitted to Pastor Eric, and in early February, each student will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Pastor Eric. This is a special time for students to connect with a pastor on a deeper level and to talk about faith in a safe environment.
In January, students and their parents will attend a three-session Faith Stepping Stones course that will prepare students for their confirmation. These meetings will take place during the Education hour. The goal of these meetings is to engage parents and students in conversation around their faith.
The week before their confirmation, the 9th graders will meet one last time on Sunday morning to prepare for their confirmation, and then on Saturday, February 7th, the students will be confirmed at the 5:15pm worship service. Events preceding the worship service will likely begin around 3pm (pictures, reception, sharing of faith statements, etc.).
III. Mentors
Mentors are invited to join the class for one or more of the Sunday morning sessions in the fall.
Mentors will be asked to chaperone a portion of the 9th grade lock-in Nov 15-16 (details will follow separately).
Mentors are invited to participate in the Peder Eide “Taste Worship” event with their student’s family on Saturday, November 22.
All mentors should be present for the Affirmation of Baptism on Saturday, February 7th.
IV. Calendar – 9th Grade Students
August 24th Confirmation Kick-Off
September 14th Rally Day; First Day of Education Hour as a High School Class
September 21st 9th Grade Sunday Morning Session – Lutheran Backstory
October 19th 9th Grade Sunday Morning Session – What Do Lutherans Believe
November 15th – 16th 9th Grade Confirmation Lock-In
November 16th 9th Grade Sunday Morning Session – How do I be Lutheran
November 21st Synod Summer Youth Gathering Kickoff Event with Peder Eide at St. John’s
November 22nd Peder Eide “Taste Worship” Event at St. John’s
November 30th NO Education Hour events
December 14th 9th Grade Sunday Morning Session – Lutherans Today
December 21st NO Education Hour events
December 28th NO Education Hour events
Jan 30th - Feb 1 **Jr/Sr High Ski and Snowboarding Retreat at Lutherdale
February 7th 9th Grade Affirmation of Baptism
April 5th NO Education Hour events
April 12th NO Education Hour events
May 3rd Youth Sunday (lead worship as High School students)
May 17th Last Education Hour for 2014-15 year.