Welcome to Confirmation!

Transcription

1 Welcome to Confirmation! Dear Parents and Confirmands, We are so excited for Confirmation ! As you know, our confirmation program intersects with our life groups. All 7 th grade life groups will cover the confirmation curriculum, and in March, all students wishing to be confirmed who have participated in a 7 th grade life group, as well as Confirmation Retreat, will have the opportunity to confirm that they have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and join Mt. Bethel as full members of the church. We consider the Confirmation process to be an invitation first to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and second to a connection with the local church. Within our Confirmation Life Group meeting time, each meeting will be taught in a large group/small group format. Within the Life Group hour, students will participate in a large group teaching time (taught by a pastor or Student Ministries staff member), and then will break into their Life Groups to discuss how the information they ve learned applies to their lives. Our goal is for students to form relationships with 8-12 other students and 2 adult leaders, with whom they will hopefully continue in Life Groups even once Confirmation has ended. There will be 20 Confirmation Group meetings, and we require students be at 15 of the 20 Confirmation meetings. If a student misses a Confirmation meeting, our expectation is that, parents, you ll go over the curriculum with your student. Each week we cover a foundational element of our faith, and we want to help your faith foundation be as firm as possible! In addition to attending the Life Group meetings, we also require that our students attend a worship service on Sunday Morning (either at 8:15, 9:30, 11:00, or the North Campus your preference), and that you attend Confirmation Retreat, September For more details about Confirmation retreat, read further into this packet. If you have a conflict with that weekend, please contact Elise Bernhardt IMMEDIATELY (elise.bernhardt@mtbethel.org). Parents we will have a class for you as well! Our Confirmation Parent Class will meet monthly throughout the year. We will meet from 5-6pm in F011, the basement of the Academy. We are SO EXCITED for the Confirmation Parent Class! These classes will be taught by our pastors, and are designed to help you transition into the new season of shepherding your teenager through his or her middle and high school years. Faith Activations You ll note that every week student will have Faith Activation, an opportunity to put his or her faith into action, based on the week s lesson. While we want our students to own their experience, we don t think they have to do it alone! If you d like to complete the Faith Activation section of the curriculum as a family, we highly encourage you to do so! Remember, your student and your family will get out of Confirmation what you put into it our desire is that this year lays a foundation for your student to develop a healthy and thriving adult relationship with Jesus Christ. We can t wait for you to be a part of our Confirmation process! Please Elise at elise.bernhardt@mtbethel.org if you have any questions or concerns. Best, Elley Fisk Director Mt. Bethel Student Ministries Elise Bernhardt Project Management Associate Mt. Bethel Student Ministries

2 Confirmation: An Invitation Outline There are 14 Lessons and 6 Worship Nights, totaling 20 Confirmation Meetings. We ask that your student attend at least 15 of the 20 Confirmation Meetings, as well as Confirmation Retreat, to be confirmed. Date What s going on? Time Lesson 8/14 MBSM Fall Kickoff 8/21 Confirmation Meets (Upper Room B Hall) 8/28 Confirmation Meets 9/4 No Meeting Labor Day 9/11 Retreat ends at The Well 9/18 Confirmation Meets 9/25 No Meeting Fall Break 10/2 Confirmation Meets 6PM Pickup Meeting 1/Lesson 1: Confirmation: Getting To Know God and What We Believe Meeting 2/Lesson 2: The Trinity Who are these guys? Discuss 3 functions of grace and Lesson 4: God the Son Meeting 3/Lesson 3: God the Father Meeting 4/Lesson 5: God the Holy Spirit 10/9 The Well FH 5-7PM Meeting 5 10/16 Confirmation Meets 10/23 Confirmation Meets 10/30 Confirmation Meets Meeting 6/Lesson 5: Spiritual Disciplines Meeting 7/Lesson 6: The Word Meeting 8/Lesson 7: Fruit of the Spirit 11/6 The Well FH 5-7PM Meeting 9 11/13 Confirmation Meets Meeting 10/Lesson 8: Gifts of the Spirit

3 11/20 No Meeting Thanksgiving 11/27 No Meeting Thanksgiving 12/4 Life Group Christmas Parties Groups Decide 12/11 The Well FH 5-7PM Meeting 11 12/18 No Meeting - Finals 12/25 No Meeting Christmas 1/1 No Meeting New Year s 1/8 Confirmation Meets Meeting 12/Lesson 9: Part of the Body, Part 1 1/15 No Meeting MLK Weekend 1/22 The Well FH 5-7PM Meeting 13 1/29 Confirmation Meets Meeting 14/Lesson 10: Part of the Body, Part 2 2/5 Confirmation Meets 2/12 No Meeting DNOW 2/19 Confirmation Meets Meeting 15/Lesson 11: Oops. (Repentance) Meeting 16/Lesson 12: Serving Opportunity 2/26 The Well FH 5-7PM Meeting 17 3/5 Confirmation Meets 3/12 Confirmation Meets Meeting 18/Lesson 13: Light of the World Meeting 19/Lesson 14: Accepting the Invitation 3/19 The Well - FH 5-7PM Meeting 20 *Prep for Confirmation Service 3/25 Service of 6-7PM (times Students are Confirmed in a special service families

4 Confirmation may shift) and friends are welcome to attend! 3/26 No Meeting Confirmation Sunday at 9:30 and 11:00 4/2 No Meeting Beginning Spring Break 4/9 No Meeting End Spring Break/Palm Sunday 4/16 No Meeting Easter Sunday 4/23 Life Group Fellowship Meeting 4/30 Life Group Celebrations TBD

5 Confirmation Retreat I September 9-11, 2016 Here are some details about the retreat: where we are going, what to bring, emergency phone numbers, etc. If you have any further questions, please call Elise Bernhardt at or Cindy Hudon at Where: Camp Lee, in Anniston, AL. Important: If you need to leave early or arrive late, you must let us know in advance. Emergency Phone #: Camp Lee ; Elise Bernhardt s cell: What to Bring: Bible, sleeping bag or sheets and blanket, pillow, towel, toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, soap, etc) weather appropriate and comfortable clothing (appropriate for a church trip), walking shoes, jacket, rain gear, flashlight, watch, one- piece bathing suits, sunscreen, and bug spray. The weather is usually cooler at camp than here, so please pack warm clothes. It s also a good idea to bring a second pair of shoes, especially if the weather is messy! What not to Bring: Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, lighters, weapons of any kind. Please do not bring snacks. The camp staff does not want bugs. We will provide plenty of food and snacks for everyone! Also, we recommend that expensive items such as nice clothing, DVD players, i- pods, or cell phones are not brought on the weekend. We aren t responsible for anything of yours that gets lost, damaged, or stolen. Trip Details: Thursday night, September 8 from 7:00-7:30 all luggage (suitcases and sleeping bags) will be loaded. Please make sure all items are clearly marked with your student s name. If necessary they may bring one very small carry- on bag and pillow on the bus on Friday. Friday night, September 9 at 6pm Students arrive and check in at the Upper Room, B200. Eat dinner before you come. We will leave promptly at 6:30pm. Sunday, September 11 - We will return to the church for The Well worship service, around 5pm. Students will rendez- vous with parents after the service, get luggage, and go home for a shower and a good night s sleep! MBSM Student Rules 1. No alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substance in any form is ever permitted on youth events. 2. You will be respectful to your adult volunteers and Youth Staff. 3. You are never to go anywhere alone. 4. Remember you are representing Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church at all times. 5. You are to conduct yourself as a Christian by your words and deeds at all times. 6. No profanity. 7. No fireworks, weapons, lighters, or matches are allowed. 8. If you are in question whether or not something is allowed please ask an adult. Legal Stuff: Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, Inc. including employees and representatives shall be held harmless from any suit, action, damages, or claims at law or otherwise, resulting from or arising out of any injury, accident, or illness which may befall the child of whom I am guardian, and/or his property while a participant in the event. The undersigned parent or guardian hereby authorizes Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church representatives to take such action as may be necessary for the medical care or treatment including the administration of medication, performing of surgery, or other such action as needed in the event of injury or illness of participant when parent or guardian cannot be reached for authorization. This authorization may be presented to medical personnel without liability of said personnel to seek further authority. In the event of a medical emergency the Youth Ministries Team will make every effort to contact a parent before seeking medical treatment. If we are unable to reach a parent we will exercise good judgment and seek medical treatment as needed. The undersigned parent or guardian will be responsible for the entire medical bill. Mt. Bethel Student Ministries Staff and Adult Volunteers will not be held responsible for items that are lost, damaged, or stolen during the course of this event. Students will be responsible for their personal items, such as wallets, ipods, cell phones, clothing, etc. DISCLAIMER: Your photograph may be taken while you are here and posted on our website.

6 Parent Letters at the Retreat Parents In addition to your regular encouragement to your student, we would like to provide you with an opportunity to share some special thoughts with them during the retreat. Please take a few minutes and write your child a letter of love and encouragement, which will be delivered to them during the retreat. Some possible ideas to consider: What was your faith journey like? When did you join the church? This church? Do you have memories of your own Baptism? Of theirs? Are you proud of your son/daughter? Why? What are your hopes for them? What do you pray for your student? There are so many wonderful things to share - listen to your heart. This is a very meaningful part of our retreat, and it only works if every student has a letter to open. From years past, we have seen this simple act of love and encouragement change a young heart, and almost always we see tears of happiness. This is a joy that only you can give to them - and be prepared for a little joy of your own! A few guidelines 1. Please limit the letters to being only from parents. 2. Please put all letters in one envelope with the child s name on the outside 3. Please make sure that your child will be able to read the letter in approximately 3-5 minutes. 4. Please submit letters by Sunday, August 28. You can either a. Send them SEALED with your student to life group b. Mail them to the church to attn: Elise Bernhardt c. Drop them at the Reception Desk in the Welcome Center (where Celia Sheridan/Daisy Watson sit)