Confirmation
Confirmation
In the 7th grade year at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, youth are invited to participate in the Confirmation process. Confirmation is not a sacrament in the United Methodist tradition; rather, it is an experience where a child accepts the responsibility for their own Christian education which parents have fulfilled since birth. In many ways, the Confirmation year should be similar to the year your child gets their driving permit – they are taking on new responsibility but only with their parent right beside them to guide them. The Confirmation class provides the setting for the individual to spiritually form him or herself and to develop an understanding of the commitment they are making to their own Christian discipleship. During the rite of Confirmation worship service, each youth is invited to make the intentional commitment to the life of a Christian disciple through their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
Confirmation classes, adapted from the Creedo curriculum, are co-taught by the Pastor of Youth Ministries and members of the congregation. Youth who participate are assigned to an adult Christian mentors. The Confirmation addressed three core principles:
- Confirmation is a continuation of one’s faith journey and the beginning of one’s covenant relationship with the church.
- Confirmation is more than just a series of classes. Confirmands must be fully engaged in the life of the church through worship, service, and involvement in other ministries.
- Confirmand should emerge from the their confirmation experience prepared for a life of Christian discipleship.
Each of these topics are addressed through the particular lens of Christians who are United Methodist and specifically members of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.
By the end of the year, youth will not only recite the Apostles Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, but they will also understand the context and meaning of those important facets of our worship. They also are encouraged to regularly worship at our church and reflect on that in Worship Experience Journals, regularly participate in one discipleship activity (Sunday School or Sunday evening) and engage in service both outside of the church and inside the church through worship leadership roles. The retreat is designed specifically for confirmands in the spring.
The Confirmation year is designed to give youth an experience in the fullness of Christian life so it takes extra commitment from both youth and parents. At the end of that year youth are making an educated decision to live as a Christian.
Sessions are held on scheduled Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Registration is held in the fall.
Course Expectations:
• Bring a Bible to class each week.
• Attend at least 75% of the sessions.
• Attend church regularly; completing worship experience journal monthly (8 required)
• Attend another Wesley Memorial UMC Youth Ministry program regularly ie. Sunday School, Sunday Night
• Participate in 2 service projects.
• Participate in 3 hours of worship leadership ie. acolyte, lay reader, usher, youth choir
• Attend the Confirmation Retreat (March 2012)
• Attend Confirmation Sunday (May 2012)
Confirmation Schedule for 2011-2012
Unit 1: Know Your Story
• September 14: Overview:Creation
• September 28: Sin
• October 5: Redemption
• October 19: Holy Spirit
• November 2: Church
• November 16: New Creation
Unit 2: Confirm Your Faith
• November 30: Ways of Discipleship
• December 7: Way of Salvation
• January 11: Wesleyan Quadrilateral
• January 25: Worship
• February 8: Sacraments
• February 22: Living a Holy Life
Unit 3: Live Your Commitment
- March 2: Renounce, Reject, Repent
- March 21: Accept
- March 23-25: Confirmation Retreat
• April 18: Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness
- May 6: Confirmation Sunday