CONFIRMATION INFO MEETING

Transcription

1 CONFIRMATION INFO MEETING 1. WELCOME + 2. WHAT S IN THIS PACKET + 3. INTRODUCTIONS + Administrative Leadership Team Associate Pastor to Children, Youth and Families Pastor Leon Jameson ljameson@hcl.org Middle School Youth Ministry Administrative Assistant Sonia Beaumont sbeaumont@hcl.org Middle School Youth Ministry Program Assistant Karen Hartlaub khartlaub@hcl.org Small Group Leaders 4. CHALLENGE + Facility and Culture 5. OPPORTUNITY + Facility and Culture What if our Confirmation model at HCL could be adapted in a way that families can worship together more regularly AND provide a monthly worship experience that helps to facilitate and model faith conversation in the home AND provides students the opportunity to have regular faith conversations with peers and other caring adults. 6. CONFIRMATION + FAQ s 1. What is Confirmation? 2. What does Confirmation look like at HCL? 3. What do you mean HCL teams with parents? 4. Why Parents? 5. What are the components and expectations for Confirmation at HCL? o Confirmation Church o Worship Reflection Sheets (Available Sept 24) o Events & Retreats o Acts of Service 6. What is the cost for Confirmation? 7. SMALL GROUPS + 8. YOUTH GROUP EVENTS + Jonah 9. CONFIRMATION CALENDAR + Attached 10. REGISTRATION QUESTIONS + Closing Prayer

2 WELCOME! This is an exciting time in the life of your middle school student and for your family! We are honored to be teaming with you. Your child is at an important developmental stage. There are lots of God-designed things happening in their bodies, minds, relationships, and faith. Faith is now becoming their own and as faith becomes their own they begin to take more responsibility in their walk with Jesus. Faith is becoming their own but your kids still need you! Hales Corners Lutheran is a big believer in families, especially in Moms and Dads. We also believe in other significant adults (Grandparents, Godparents, Aunts & Uncles) who have stepped up to be the spiritual leader in the home! For many of you, bringing your middle schooler to Confirmation is part of the fulfillment of the promise you made at their baptism. Our design for Confirmation seeks to team with you, walk alongside you, as we make a difference in the faith life of your middle schooler, together. An important truth to keep in mind as we walk together in this journey Confirmation is not a graduation. It is not the end of one s faith journey. But it is a valuable stop in a life-long journey, rooted in the story of God as told in His Word, that sends us out on mission to love our families, our neighbors, communities, and world. Our Confirmation Team is excited to walk with you! We re committed to making this stop in your child s lifelong journey of faith meaningful and the best it can be! It s going to be a great journey in HIM! Pastor Leon Jameson Associate Pastor to Children Youth and Families

3 CONFIRMATION FAQ s What Is Confirmation? Confirmation marks the completion of the congregation's program of Confirmation ministry and is the rite by which a person affirms his/her baptism, publicly confesses his/her faith, and is received into congregational membership. The rite of Confirmation is a time of celebration for the congregation as it affirms and encourages a person in the continuation of their faith journey. What does Confirmation look like at HCL? Confirmation instruction at HCL is a three-year ministry for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders that teams with parents to equip middle-school students to make a confession of faith by developing a deep understanding of Jesus as Savior and their life-long relationship with Him, while engaging students in a deeper understanding of core theological concepts (The Apostles Creed, The Ten Commandments, Baptism, Confession & Absolution, The Lord s Supper and Prayer). Students are prepared to make a confession of faith through participation in regular worship, Confirmation Church, yearly retreats and special events, acts of service, fellowship and regular faith conversation. What do you mean when you say that HCL teams with parents? We believe parents and all home leaders are a key to the success of our Confirmation process. We believe that parents are the most influential people in the lives of kids and God designed it that way! Teaming with parents means that HCL want to honor a parents God-given responsibility to guide, encourage, and be part of their child s journey with Jesus. Our Confirmation staff teams with parents by providing foundational teaching while walking alongside you with resources, tools, and encouragement. We understand that each family situation looks different and sometimes parents are not the spiritual leader for a child. In these situations, we embrace and team with other home leaders as they encourage and guide a child s faith development. Why Parents? HCL celebrates God's design for parenting. Parents have the privilege and responsibility of discipling and nurturing the spiritual formation of their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Ephesians 6:1-4). HCL s Confirmation Ministry encourages and equips parents and all home leaders to live out this calling. What are the components and expectations for Confirmation at HCL? Confirmation is a valuable way for middle school students to develop a deeper understanding of Jesus as Savior and their life-long relationship with Him, while engaging them in a deeper understanding of core theological concepts. There are multiple components that contribute to this development, such as gaining knowledge/understanding, building community with Christian peers, serving God and others, and ownership of faith. The following expectations have been designed to help shape, teach and reinforce these essential components. o Attend monthly Confirmation Church worship services. Confirmation Church is a 90-minute once a month interactive worship service for both the confirmand and parents. Confirmation Church begins with a 60-minute experiential worship model that uses Scripture and Luther s Small Catechism as the foundation for engaging students and their parents in a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ, their relationship with Him as Savior, and their life-long journey of faith. Confirmation Church instructs and facilitates faith conversation which sets the stage for 30- minutes of small group discussion and life-application. Confirmation Church meets September June.

4 o Worship Reflection sheets. Confirmands are expected to attend worship regularly with their family or another loving adult. As part of your worship routine we are asking confirmands to complete a Worship Reflection sheet. These sheets will build upon the pattern of individual and family reflection and conversation modeled in Confirmation Church. Worship Reflection sheets are available online and at the NextGen counter at the Janesville Campus and the back table of Grange Chapel. Worship Reflection sheets can be filled out during or after the worship service. There is a box in atrium area where you can place your Worship Reflection sheets, or you can turn them in at Confirmation Church. You are asked to turn in 12 Worship Reflection sheets each year. o Events and Retreats Events and retreats are grade-level programs with emphasis on a particular topic connected to Confirmation. Confirmands are expected to attend. 6th Grade Event- First Communion Instruction and Seder Supper (February & March) 7th Grade Retreat- Fighting Sin, Temptation, and Peer Pressure (November) 8th Grade Retreat- Writing my Faith Story (March or April) o Acts of Service Scripture declares that believers are the body of Christ, a reflection of His continuing presence in the world. Through His people, Christ continues to extend love, comfort, care and forgiveness to those in need. Biblical true love is action based! Because Christ lives in us we are able to make a difference. We are His eyes, His ears, His hands, and His feet here on earth! Service hours have become an important part of HCL s confirmation program. Each year students are asked to complete 7 hours of service work. Service hours can be completed at church, school, or the community and may completed in a single, 7-hour event or a combination of hours from different service projects. When 7 hours of service are completed fill out and submit a Service Hour report. These forms are available online and at the NextGen counter at the Janesville Campus. Service hours are to be completed by the end of April. After the above expectations are completed, students are eligible to participate in the Rite of Confirmation where they will make public profession of their faith in a special worship service offered the first Sunday of May. What about First Communion? Holy Communion (The Lord s Supper) is an incredible gift where God gives His people the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, which brings forgiveness, life and salvation. During the 6th grade year confirmands and their parents are required to attend a two-part event experience that teaches confirmands about, and prepares them for, participation in the Lord's Supper. The two events are: 1.) A February First Communion Family Module, which teaches what Holy Communion is, the gifts its provides, and how to receive it in a worthy manner. 2.) A March Seder Supper and First Communion event, where families experience a Jewish Seder meal and learn how Jesus' institution of Holy Communion is related to and inseparable from an understanding of the Passover. What is the cost for Confirmation? Registration cost for Confirmation is $80 per year. This fee includes all program fees, curriculum, and a copy of Luther's Small Catechism (if needed). Students also have the option of purchasing a Student Bible, but may also bring their own. Financial assistance is available.

5 How can I get involved in Confirmation? Parents can get involved in one of three ways: 1.) Prayer support and encouragement. We need loving parents who genuinely desire to support HCL s Confirmation Ministry by praying for the staff, volunteers and youth on a regular basis. We also need parents who will encourage the volunteers to keep going and remind them that they are valuable. 2.) Maybe you're not interested in giving your time and talent every event as a volunteer but you'd be willing to help organize or be a leader at special events. That's great! We need parents who are willing to help out every once-in-a-while also. Let us know how often you'd be willing to help out. 3.) We are always looking for committed volunteers who are willing to give their time and energy on a regular basis to build relationships with youth. If you love God and love youth, you're qualified! Reach out and we will let you the next steps! How do they get teflon to stick to a skillet if nothing sticks to teflon? We'll just have to ask God... But I still have questions, who do I talk to? If you have additional questions about Confirmation at HCL please contact Sonia Beaumont at sbeaumont@hcl.org.

6 CONFIRMATION MINISTRY IMPORTANT DATES CALENDAR DATE EVENT TIME and LOCATION August 28 or September 6 Confirmation Launch Meeting (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary Choose one meeting on 8/28 or 9/6 to attend. September 24 or 25 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary October 8 or 9 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary November 11 Seventh Grade Day RETREAT Campus (Saturday) For 7 th Grade Confirmands & Small Group Leaders November 12 or 13 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary December 10 or 11 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary January 14 or 15 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary February 11 or 12 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary February 15 or February 20 First Communion Family Instruction Fellowship Hall For Parents and Confirmands in 6 th Grade Choose one session on 2/15 or 2/20 March 6 SEDER Supper + First COMMUNION Campus (Tuesday) For Parents and Confirmands in 6 th Grade March 11 or 12 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary March 11 or March 12 Confirmation Meeting Campus For Parents and Confirmands in 8 th Grade March 17 or March 18 New Communicants Acknowledged in Worship For confirmands who attended first communion instruction. 5:30PM Sanctuary or 11AM Sanctuary April 14 Eighth Grade Day RETREAT Campus (Saturday) For 8 th Grade Confirmands & Small Group Leaders April 15 or 16 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary May 5 Confirmation Rehearsal Sanctuary (Saturday) For all 8 th Grade Students being Confirmed May 6 (Sunday) Confirmation Services For all 8 th Grade Students being Confirmed Services at 1PM and Sanctuary May 13 or 14 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary June 3 or 4 CONFIRMATION CHURCH (For all Parents & Confirmands) Sanctuary