A warm and heartfelt welcome to all the youth beginning their confirmation journey with us this year! We are so excited that you are taking this important step to explore your faith more deeply.
Confirmation is your time to ask big questions, build lasting friendships, and discover what it means to be a follower of Christ in your own life. Throughout this year, we will explore the foundations of our faith together in a supportive and engaging community.
Our entire church family is praying for you and is thrilled to walk alongside you on this adventure. Get ready for a fantastic year of growth, fellowship, and discovery!
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the opportunity for youth to claim what parents share on their behalf when they are baptized: Who is your Lord and Savior? Jesus Christ!
As an infant, we entrust adults (usually parents) to answer YES on our behalf. Through Confirmation, youth are considered adults in the life of the congregation; the privileges being that they are voting members (including things such as voting for the new pastor) and can serve as Elders or Deacons.
During Confirmation, we talk about what it means to be a Christian; topics include: Bible study; history of Christianity; what it means to be Presbyterian; what the sacraments and way we worship expresses our faith; how we engage in service (we will do a service project); exploring how others practice faith (with a visit to another congregation).
Do I have to be baptized to be confirmed?
Yes, and also… Yes, because Baptism comes before Confirmation; however, it is common for youth to not have been baptized as an infant. So also, if your youth isn’t baptized, that is fine; we will just need to baptize them prior to Confirmation (and can happen the same day as confirmation).
WHY participate in Confirmation?
The two most important things that I like to come out of Confirmation is doing a deeper dive into faith and learn more about what it means to be a Presbyterian. The other equally important part is connection. Presbyterians do things in community; one way that plays out is that we pair youth with a Confirmation Mentor. We have found these relationships are some of the most fruitful and supportive relationships we can offer our youth and last longer than the year of Confirmation.
Why should I consider being Confirmed / have my youth consider Confirmation?
This is an opportunity to explore our Christian faith. I required all three of my kiddos to go through the process but left the choice of being confirmed up to them. This is an opportunity for connection and learning / growth in faith. That, I hope we all want for our youth. Joining the church should be their choice.
Some possible outcomes: Yes, Jesus is my Lord and Savior and I’m ready to be confirmed; yes, Jesus is my Lord and Savior but I’m not sure that now is the time to join; I appreciate learning about Jesus and am not sure where my faith is right now.
No matter what, going through the process is a huge benefit.
Who can be a Confirmation Mentor?
In our Children’s / Youth Ministry, we have learned that having at least 5 adults outside of your youth’s family that they know and trust is important for best mental health outcomes. Our Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry teams use this frame our ideal ministry.
Mentors cannot be on staff and should not be a family member.
Feel free to make suggestions. I will contact mentors on behalf of your youth; and if you don’t know who might be a good fit, please just let me know and we can talk through possibilities!
Tentative Calendar for Confirmation (we will meet from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Sundays; there will be a few exceptions. Mentors will be asked to attend with confirmands).
Sunday September 7: Kickoff lunch with mentors
Sunday September 21: Bible
November 2: What’s a Presbyterian? (Done with the New Members Class)
November 7-9: Youth Breakaway Retreat at Allendale; 1-2 Sessions on Saturday November 8 (Church History; Creeds/Confessions; Sacraments)
November 30: Faith and Football at the Colts Game
January 11: Likely will be a visit to another congregation or Mission Project
January 25: Likely will be a visit to another congregation or Mission Project
February 8: Presbyterian Polity
March 1: What does it mean to be an Elder / Deacon? Meet with Elders and Deacons
March 15: Writing a Statement of Faith
Monday March 16: Meet with Session at 6 p.m. for dinner and to share faith statements
Sunday April 19: Confirmation during 10 a.m. worship
WHAT DO I NEED FROM YOU? Please let me know if your youth is interested / willing to participate; I’d like responses from you by Monday August 18; this gives me time to ensure I have a confirmation mentor for your youth prior to our first meeting on September 7.
With your permission, I am happy to reach out directly to your youth; and friends of your youth are also invited (and if I’ve forgotten others to invite, please let me know! Being part of the process is most important!)
Thank you all!
Peace, Trish
