Welcome to Confirmation Meredith Drive Reformed Church May, 2015 Being strengthened in saying YES to JESUS And living out his command to follow me.
When confirmed, we stand in front of the congregation and profess our faith in Jesus I believe in God as Creator, Savior and Spirit I have accepted Jesus as one who offers me forgiveness of my sins and one whose words/actions I follow. I believe in the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice for life meaning the Bible shows me how to live. I will use my God given gifts of time, talent, the story of my life, and money to share his love in the world you understand everything about God. God created you and loves you That you, like everyone else, sin (does wrong) and our sin is bitter to God and separates us from God. That Jesus life and death his dying opened the way for us to have a good relationship with God now and forever. Confirmation is a time of decision when you consider your relationship with Jesus, His church and His Word. It is a time you say in your heart to that relationship and commit yourself to following Jesus more and more in your life. 2
Expectations Expectations are in place so that every student and their family has the best possible experience through confirmation. To foster faith as a priority and to grow in understanding of what it means to be a Christ-follower, we feel we need to model this through our choices. For this reason, we believe regular attendance to Confirmation activities should be given a high priority in the student s schedule. Program Requirements: Students are expected to attend Sunday School each week if you are unable to attend, please contact Tammy Gregory. Students are expected to attend weekly worship In addition to worship, please complete 2 Sunday Searches each month Students are asked to maintain open and transparent communication with Teachers, Leaders, Parents, and Mentors. Students are encouraged to ask questions, even questions that might contain elements of doubt. Students are asked to arrange their schedule to prioritize 4 evening events throughout the course of the year one during 1st semester and three during 2nd semester Students are asked to be respectful to leaders, of everyone in the group, and in all settings. Students are asked to memorize 1-3 Scripture verses each month Students are asked to serve on a ministry team one time per month and maintain schedule commitments. (inside of the church) Students are asked to serve in mission with a goal of serving one time per month. (outside of the church) Expectations for Parents: Parents are asked to prioritize 4 evening events throughout the course of the year one during 1st semester and three during 2nd semester. (There is a parent component to each night) Parent help is needed many times during the course of the year. We ask that parents respond to our requests for help for drivers, supplies and other serving opportunities. Parents are asked to read the weekly Confirmation ENews. (our key way of communicating) 3
What Is a Mentor? A mentor is an adult of the faith community whom you freely choose to support, challenge, and encourage you in your searching faith. The mentor serves as a trusted guide. He or she possesses all or some of the following attributes: Good listening skills: A mentor should be able to listen carefully to what you have to say and should regard what you say as important. Openness: A mentor must be willing to share her or his own life story with you, which requires a certain amount of risk and vulnerability. Honesty: A mentor must be willing to share honestly with you his or her own faith beliefs and convictions, struggles, questions, thoughts, and so on. Desire for growth: A mentor must model what it means to be a searching, probing, growing person of faith. Patience: A mentor must be able to be completely there for you, tuned in to your thoughts, questions, and concerns, and not attempting to move you beyond the place you are ready to be. Yet, at the same time, your mentor must gently challenge you. Commitment: A mentor must be willing to stick with your companion relationship through thick and thin. Solid foundation in faith: A mentor must be someone who is firmly rooted in her or his own faith, a person convinced of the truth of the Gospel. However, the mentor is also someone who continues to search for deeper insight, who questions and probes the meaning of life, and who seeks a deeper relationship with God through the life of the church. A mentor walks with you through this time. He/she takes a special interest in you, listens to your concerns, asks questions about your searching faith and serves as a sounding board for your thoughts, ideas, hopes, and dreams. Begin thinking and praying about who in your life might be a person that has most of these qualities. On the back sheet, Confirmation Registration, include a list of three people you might like to be your mentor. This should be someone who attends our church and is not a family member. If you need assistance, please contact Tammy. Please do not ask the person to be your mentor until you have confirmed the person with us. This is to avoid some people picking the same mentor. (Mentors are approved on a first come first served basis) Return the completed form by June 15, by doing one of the following: Place the form in Tammy Gregory s box at either campus Send the form via snail mail to: Tammy Gregory Meredith Drive Reformed Church 5128 Meredith Drive Des Moines, IA 50310 Scan the form and email it to Tammy at tammygregory@meredithdrive.org 4
Serving in Ministry I came not to be served but to serve. ~Jesus Each of us is given a gift for the common good. 1 Cor 12: 7 Our goal as you serve is to follow Jesus in serving to learn more about how we are gifted for the common good. We ask each person to choose a ministry in which to serve at least one hour once a month connect with others who serve learn more how the Body of Christ works together to bless the church and world Possible areas of ministry in which to serve: Children s Ministry Nursery, serving one hour once a month (Sunday a.m) (please indicate infant or toddler) *Space could be limited for this serving opportunity Kid s Connection could be a great way to serve with a parent. (Sunday a.m.) *MD 9:30 a.m. *Bridge details are still in the works Adventure Club helper (Wed. p.m. 6:45 pm 7:45 pm) 2 months in the fall and 2 months in the winter (For those not involved in Wednesday night youth activities) Check-in (Sunday a.m.) (student with a parent) - help at kiosks to check in and get nametags for children once a month Hospitality and Behind the Scenes Ministry Usher, be a part of the Sunday morning usher rotation, usually done with a parent BR Campus set up/tear down chair crew, be a part of rotating team BR or MD Campus - custodial assistance during week- (Parent responsible for arranging time) Care Ministry: (Parent responsible for arranging times) Make and deliver a meal once a month to family/person in need Visit a shut-in or senior adult monthly with a parent Yard work and shoveling for a senior adult with a parent Prayer & Sacrament Ministry: Be a part of the After Service Prayer Team Communion Help prepare communion (not a monthly opportunity) Worship Ministry: Instrumental or Vocal music (additional rehearsals required) Help with audio or video projection (training required) You are welcome to offer your own suggestion based on a need you see When you choose a ministry, your name and contact information will be passed on to the ministry team leader who will contact you and set up a time for training and/or let you know your schedule. Please list three ministry choice possibilities on the registration form. Email or call Tammy (515-276-4901 or tammygregory@meredithdrive.org) if you need help choosing, need clarification of what is involved or have questions. 55
Two ways to begin growing this summer: 1. Through scripture memory: Summer Memory Verse: I created you. You are dear and precious in my sight and I love you. Isaiah 43:4 Why learn this verse? It answers a few very important questions: Who are you? Whose are you? How does God see you? How does God feel about you? 2. Through faith conversations at home: Parent & Youth Pow/Wow Do once per week to strengthen and support your spiritual growth. Give thanks to God and call upon his name. Psalm 105 Share the Pows (lows) and the Wows (highs) of the past 24 hours or week. Read your memory verse. What might God be saying that relates to your pow or wow? What does it tell you about God and your life? Is there anything for which you need to say I m sorry or I forgive you? Pray for the joys and pains in one another s lives by bringing your high s and low s to God; praising and thanking God for the good of the day and inviting the Holy Spirit to comfort your family member through the lows. Bless one another. 6 6
Confirmation Registration Please fill out the form completely Student s Name: Campus you attend Complete Address Student s Cell Phone (if they have one) Texting allowed? Yes No Parent Name Parent Phone Number(s) Parent Email address (required) *This email address will be used for all Confirmation communication Parent (2) Name Parent (2) Email Address This email address will also receive Confirmation communication if provided Possible Mentor Names: List 3 possibilities 1. *Mentors are approved on a first come first served basis. Please do not ask any of these people until you have been given the go ahead. 2. Possible Monthly Ministry Project (See Pg 5) List 3 possibilities 1. *Some ministry areas can only accommodate a certain number of people.every effort will be made to accommodate your first choice, but please list three possibilities 2. 3.. 3. Return the completed form by June 15, by doing one of the following: Place the form in Tammy Gregory s box at either campus Send the form via snail mail to: Tammy Gregory; Meredith Drive Reformed Church; 5128 Meredith Drive; Des Moines, IA 50310 Scan the form and email it to Tammy at tammygregory@meredithdrive.org 7
Confirmation Contact Tammy Gregory 515-276-4901 (church) 515-770-6050 (cell) tammygregory@meredithdrive.org 8