(843) (office)

Transcription

1 Youth Confirmation The Rev. Cn. Caleb J. Lee (843) (office) In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop. ~ BCP p. 413 Expectations: 1) Confirmation is a mature public affirmation of faith - Confirmation is not to be taken lightly nor should those interested in Confirmation be pressured into it by parents, peers, or the clergy. Confirmation is a mature personal decision. Attending classes is a great way to know whether or not you desire Confirmation. Class attendance and journal entries will be a very clear indicator of whether or not you desire to be Confirmed. Please let Father Caleb know if you will miss class. If you are anticipating missing more than a few classes over the semester, you may want to wait and take Confirmation class another time. 2) Commitment to the Responsibilities of Baptism There are some pretty clear promises we vow to keep in The Baptismal Covenant on p. 304 of the BCP. The first promise is to continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers. This basically means that a person seeking Confirmation, and/or their parents, are committed to regular worship at church. It is expected that those who desire Confirmation would be involved in the church outside of Confirmation Class. This means that those who desire to be confirmed would naturally be involved, or becoming involved, in the life and ministry of the church. 3) Receive the laying on of hands by the bishop - This means you should probably clear your calendar for Sunday, May 5 (time TBA) when the bishop will confirm those who so desire. Resources - Gamber, Jenifer. My Faith, My Life: A Teen s Guide to the Episcopal Church, Revised Edition - The Bible (NRSV Annotated with Apocrypha ) - The Book of Common Prayer, 1979 Confirmation Faith Journals: All entries should be roughly half of a page in length and written in paragraph form. Students may write or type their answers. Journal entries will be collected at the beginning of each class and compiled into a notebook to be returned at the end of the course. Homework found at the end of each Sunday is due at the beginning of the next class.

2 Tentative Schedule: Subject to Change All classes will take place in Croft Hall at 10:10 AM December 2 Introduction, Expectations, What is Baptism and Confirmation? Parents are asked to come to this first class in the Meadowcroft Room Homework for Dec 9: Read Chapter 1 in MFML What are you looking forward to most about Confirmation? Why do you think water is an important symbol of baptism? You might look at the liturgy for Holy Baptism in the Book of Common Prayer. December 9 Baptism and Confirmation continued Homework for Dec 16: Read Chapter 2 in MFML What story that you know from the Old Testament most applies to your life and why? December 16 The Bible: Stories about Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Old Testament) Homework for Jan 6: Homework : Read Chapter 2 in MFML Imagine writing a Gospel based on your life. What would you write about? December 23 December 30 January 6 No Confirmation Class. Merry Christmas! No Confirmation Class. Happy New Year Homework : Read Chapter 2 in MFML The Bible: Stories about Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (New Testament) Homework for Jan 13: Read Chapter 3 in MFML Paul wrote letters to the early Church around the Roman Empire. Write your own letter to your church instructing them on how they should live faithfully. Be Creative! January 13 Church History Early Church Homework for Jan 20: How is the spread of Christianity during the middle ages still visible in our church today? January 20 Church History The Roman Empire to the Middle Ages Homework for Jan 27:

3 According to Martin Luther, what can you do to earn God s love? Hint: This one is short answer. It does not have to be a half page answer! January 27 Episcopal Church Polity - Confirmation Class meets with Nick Kohlmann at the Organ Bench to assist with the Annual Parish Meeting Homework for Feb 3: SAME AS Jan 27. Catch up with your journals if you need to. February 3 Church History- The Reformation Homework for Feb 10: Describe how the American Episcopal Church was formed and how we celebrate that today. February 10 Attend the Kirkin of the Tartan at 9 or 11 Church History The American Episcopal Church Part I Homework for February 17: Why do you think celebrating diversity in the Episcopal Church is important? From Chapter 3, list 4 examples of how the church has become more diverse over the years. February 17 Church History The American Episcopal Church Part 2 Homework for February 24: Read Chapter 4 in MFML Which statements in The Apostles Creed do you have difficulty believing? What CAN you believe about those parts? February 25 Faith: What do we Believe? Part 1 Homework for March 3: Re Read Chapter 4 in MFML where applicable How do you practice your faith in daily life (for example: with family, friends, teachers, coaches, using social media)? How is this a struggle sometimes? March 3 Faith: What do we Believe? Part 2 Homework for March 10: Read Chapter 5 in MFML The BCP and the Bible teach us that when we partake in Holy Communion, we receive forgiveness of sins, strength in our weakness, and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Which one of these is most important for you to receive at this point in your life? Why? March 5- Shrove Tuesday, Help out at the Pancake Supper

4 March 6 March 10 Attend Ash Wednesday Service (7 AM or 5:30 PM) DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME SPRING FORWARD Worship: Responding to God s Blessings. Part 1 Homework for March 17: Re Read Chapter 5 in MFML where applicable Describe which liturgical season of the church year is most important to you and why? March 17 Worship: Responding to God s Blessings. Part 2 Homework for March 31: Read Chapter 6 in MFML Describe an event in your life this past week, month, or year that you could classify as a sacramental moment. Based on the definition of a sacrament, what made this event sacramental? March 24 Spring Break No Class Homework for March 31: Read Chapter 6 in MFML Describe an event in your life this past week, month, or year that you could classify as a sacramental moment. Based on the definition of a sacrament, what made this event sacramental? March 31 Sacraments: Signs of Grace Homework for April 7: Read Chapter 7 in MFML What does it mean to have a relationship with God? How do you sustain that relationship? April 7 Spirituality: Created for Prayer Homework for April 14: Read Chapter 8 and 9 in MFML - 2 Journal Entries 1) One of the many beauties of the Episcopal Church is that we are a part of something larger than just our local church. How do you see yourself and your local church participating in the larger church? 2) How do you see God s mission in your life? What gifts has God given you? Have any of your life experiences empowered you to see God and your life in a new way? What is your ministry to the world? Palm Sunday April 14 Navigating the Church: From Local to Worldwide Church and

5 The Mission of God: What s your Ministry? Homework: During Holy Week, it would benefit Confirmands and their families to attend one or more Holy Week Services (especially Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and The Great Vigil of Easter). April 21 April 29 - May 5 - NO Confirmation class. Happy Easter 10:10 AM Rehearsal in the Church for Confirmation 5 pm - Evening Celebratory Cookout and Confirmation Jeopardy (Parents vs Kids) Hanahan Hall and Garden Confirmation with the Bishop - 11:00 AM Choral Eucharist