Home > Learn > Confirmation Ministry

Welcome to Confirmation Ministry at Church of Our Saviour

WHAT IS IT?

An opportunity for 7th, 8th, & 9th graders to grow in the faith;

The church partnering with parents to assist parents as they seek to fulfill the promises made to their son/daughter in Baptism; Adult guides working with the Pastor to serve as mentors in the faith for our youth;

Youth and adults growing in their relationship with God and with each other.

A More Formal Definition:

"Confirmation ministry is a pastoral and education ministry of the church that helps the baptized through Word and Sacrament to identify more deeply with the Christian community and participate more fully in its mission." -- The Confirmation Ministry Task Force Report, ELCA, 1993

WHAT'S OUR APPROACH ON WEDNESDAYS?

Large group-Small group Approach

We believe healthy relationships are an important component to faith growth.

Many of our youth come directly from post-school activities and have not had a chance to be home, or if they have been at home they haven't had much time there. So we begin by offering a "Gathering Time with Pizza". This is not intended to take the place of supper but to provide a light snack to tide the youth over until they are able to eat a meal at home. It also offers a few minutes for the youth to connect with each other.

For our 7th & 8th graders, our confirmation session begins with a total group gathering of youth and adult leaders. This is a time for worship and introductory activities that set the stage for the session's theme. The large group gathering can also be a time for skits, singing, video viewing, and announcements.

Typically, small group time follows during which four to eight youth and one or two adult leaders gather for a continuation of the session's theme through discussion, personal sharing, planning, activities and prayer. Small groups will meet independently for field trips, service projects or fellowship activities.

The way the small groups are configured may vary. Generally, youth will stay with the same small group for the first two years of confirmation instruction. In most cases we attempt to have both grade and gender specific groups.

MONTHLY PLAN FOR 7TH & 8TH GRADERS - FOR WEDNESDAYS

Most months will have Wednesday Night Workshops (Large + Small group approach) on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. The 2nd Wednesday is reserved for Fellowship & Servant Events. Usually the 4th Wednesday will be an "off" evening for these grades. BE SURE TO CHECK THE DETAILED SCHEDULE FOR EACH MONTH PROVIDED IN THIS HANDBOOK BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME VARIATIONS DUE TO THANKSGIVING, THE LENT, AND SCHOOL SCHEDULES.

SCHEDULE FOR 7TH & 8TH GRADERS FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORKSHOPS

6:30 - 6:45: Gathering & Pizza

6:45 - 7:00: Worship & Music

7:00 - 7:25: Large Group Presentation

7:25 - 8:25: Small Group Time

8:20 - 8:30: Closing

For our 9th graders, our confirmation session begins with the small group gathering of the youth and the adult guide. The guys and the gals will be together in the small group at this grade level. This will be a time for sharing personal "highs and lows", prayer, planning for their fellowship & servant event activities, and review of the materials to be presented for the evening.

Large group presentation will follow the small group time. This provides an opportunity for the pastor(s) to present the material planned for the evening and allows for the youth to ask questions regarding the presentations.

It is our hope and intention that their will be 15-20 minutes for the pastor to meet with the small group prior to or following the large group presentation.

MONTHLY PLAN FOR 9TH GRADERS - FOR WEDNESDAYS

Most months will have Wednesday Night Workshops (Large + Small group approach) on the 1st, 3rd, and last Wednesdays of each month. The 2nd Wednesday is reserved for Fellowship & Servant Events. There are some exceptions. BE SURE TO CHECK THE DETAILED SCHEDULE FOR EACH MONTH PROVIDED IN THIS HANDBOOK BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME VARIATIONS DUE TO THANKSGIVING, SCHOOL, AND LENTEN SCHEDULES.

SCHEDULE FOR 9TH GRADERS FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORKSHOPS

6:30 - 6:45: Gathering & Pizza

6:45 - 7:00: Pastor's time with Small Group

7:00 - 7:25: Small Group Time

7:25 - 8:30: Large Group Presentation

FELLOWSHIP & SERVANT EVENTS

The second week of every month is set aside for small groups to participate in either fellowship or servant events. The fellowship events are intended to develop deep and lasting friendships among the youth. The servant events are intended to move faith into action, or in other words "to walk the talk of faith."

The small groups, under the leadership of the small group guides, will plan their fellowship and servant events when they are together in their small groups at the Wednesday Night Workshops.

WHAT ABOUT SUNDAY MORNINGS?

For Christians of all ages, what the church offers on Sunday morning is an important part of each person's faith journey. Opportunities for both worship, fellowship, service, and education are provided so that we can give thanks and praise to our gracious God and continue to grow in our relationship with God and with God's people, the church.

What we offer for our youth in the Confirmation Ministry Program on Sunday mornings is an integral part of the entire program and they are expected to be present. What happens in worship and during the 9:15-10:15 hr during the program year are as much a part of Confirmation as the program on Wednesday evenings. Our youth who will desire to Affirm their Baptism (Confirm their faith) will want and need to be present for the Sunday morning opportunities during the school year, including:

WORSHIP

September - May: 8:00 or 10:30 am.

June - August: Sunday @ 9:00 am. Or Thursday @ 7:00 pm.

THE SERVANT'S QUARTERS

September - May: 9:15 - 10:15 am.

The Servant's Quarters will be the meeting place for all three grade levels (7th, 8th, & 9th) during this hour. If there are needs for helpers in "First Footsteps in Faith", the Nursery, or the Fondy Food Pantry, then youth will be asked to serve in one of these places. Otherwise, all who meet may discuss current topics of interest/concern to the youth, work on Sermon Note sheets, get caught up on Scripture Reflections sheets, or use other resources for discussion from the ELCA web site - Youth page - "Faith Lens".

MATERIAL TO BE COVERED AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORKSHOPS

7TH & 8TH Grade

Martin Luther's Small Catechism, including the 10 Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, The Creed, Baptism, and Holy Communion will serve as the content of the material covered over these two years.

We will present them, however, under the focus of the 5 promises that each youth will be asked to make at the end of the three year Confirmation Ministry Program.

The 5 promises which each youth will be asked are as follows:

"Is it your intention to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism:

• to live among God's faithful people,
• to hear his Word and share in his supper,
• to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
• to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus,
• and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?"

Each of the 5 promises has been translated into "youth talk" language. Each promise will be addressed over a 3 week period of time so that the youth will see how and in what ways Luther's Small Catechism addresses core issues and themes that are relevant to their life right now.

9TH Grade

This last year of our programming we will present:

• Old Testament & Lutheran Teachings/Beliefs,
• New Testament & Lutheran Teachings /Beliefs,
• And Lutheran Heritage.

WHAT'S THE PARENTS' ROLE IN CONFIRMATION?

Obviously, parents are the "first teachers" in all things, including the faith. Our youth need you to:

• Teach and lead by your example at home and here at Church of Our Saviour,
• Bring them to our Wednesday Night Workshops,
• Come and worship with them,
• Bring them here for Sunday morning Servant's Quarter activities,
• Encourage and support them in our ministry together,
• Provide $25.00/household/yr to help pay for the pizza,
• Have son/daughter present in the sanctuary 10 minutes prior to worship on days when they're assigned to acolyte.

PARTNERING WITH ASCENSION LUTHERAN - WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR WORKSHOPS

We will again be sharing Confirmation Ministry together with the people from Ascension Lutheran Church for our Wednesday Night Workshops. All large group presentations will be a combination of youth, adults, and pastors from the two churches. All small group time will include youth and adults from the respective churches (i.e.. Ascension youth with Ascension adults and COOS youth with COOS adults).

You will also notice in the schedule that we will spend the first half of the year here at Church of Our Saviour and the second half of the year at Ascension.