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Confirmation 2011-12
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the continuation of one’s faith journey begun at baptism and the beginning of one’s covenant relationship with the church. This year, we are using the new United Methodist Credo curriculum which is divided into three main themes: Know Your Story, Confirm Your Faith, and Live Your Commitment. We will discuss themes such as Creation, Sin, Redemption, Salvation, Sacraments, and other topics while continuously incorporating worship and prayer. We hope that this experience prepares your child to say “yes” to Christ’s invitation to follow him and to provide a solid foundation for his or her future as His disciple.
Confirmation Table Leader Schedule and Calendar
Click here to see and modify the 2011-12 Confirmation Table Leader Schedule.
Click here to see this year's Confirmation calendar. Lessons
Lessons are posted the Monday before the Sunday class.
Your Confirmand's Activity Schedule
The Confirmation experience in addition to beginning middle school may require your family to reevaluate your child’s activity schedule. Sixth graders are welcome to participate in all FUMCC youth ministries such as MYF and the music ministries (except Pilgrimage), but we caution you to provide guidance to your child and choose activities carefully. Trying to “do it all” can very quickly become overwhelming. Most of our youth choose to complete Confirmation in their sixth grade year, but we do have a few who wait until seventh or eighth grade.
At FUMCC, the Confirmation process includes the following:
- Family orientation sessions: Rev. Frazier, the Youth Ministry staff, and the Confirmation Coordinator will welcome you and your sixth grader to the Confirmation experience. We will cover important information that you need to know to complete the program successfully. Please register for ONE of the three sessions at fumc-cary.org/youth.
- Weekly classes: Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:45. (9:30 to 10:30: Big Group in the Fellowship Hall) Youth who miss more than 6 sessions will need to attend the make-up day in the Spring to assess any make-up work that needs to be completed before confirming his or her faith.
- Fall retreat: On Friday, October 14, we will travel to Camp Rockfish to have fun getting to know each other and God better. We will return Saturday night.
- Monthly mentor and parent sessions: A trusted adult chosen and invited by the parents meets monthly with the student for a structured conversation and keeps in touch weekly. As a parent, you are also encouraged to discuss your child’s Confirmation experience with him or her on a regular basis. We will provide you the Confirmation Guide for Parents, Mentors, and Adult Leaders to assist you in these conversations.
- Visits to three places of worship: We plan to visit Beth Shalom synagogue, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and Duke Chapel for “hands-on” learning about our Judeo-Christian heritage. We will also visit our own Sanctuary Service as well as Celebration.
- Service project: In the spring, Confirmands begin to live their commitment to Christ by choosing, planning, and taking part in class mission project.
- Confirmation Interviews: Each student will meet for 45 minutes with either an FUMMC pastor or a member of the Youth Ministry staff between March 1 and April 30 to review some of the highlights of their journey and to make a decision about whether they are prepared to confirm their faith.
- Confirmation Sunday: On Sunday, May 6, each Confirmand who is prepared to do so will confirm his or her baptism surrounded and supported by our FUMCC community of faith.
Parent Servant Opportunities
The FUMCC Confirmation experience is demanding but hugely rewarding in terms of the growth we see in the faith of our Confirmands. Sixth grade is a time when many children enter a developmental stage where a desire for independence from parents is natural and expected. Parents who serve on the Confirmation team find it to be a wonderful way to stay connected with their children during this time of growth and change. Parents also tell us that service in the program gives them newfound confidence in their own faith and the ability to talk more openly about faith with their children. Please consider serving on the Confirmation team and mark your area of interest on the registration form. Some areas where you may serve:
- Sunday Confirmation Lead Teacher: (Sunday Morning): Rob Straight is prepared to serve as the Sunday morning lead teacher most Sundays; however he will need 2-3 assistant teachers. Detailed lesson plans are provided. The main requirements for these positions are love of Christ, experience leading Sunday School or other bible based studies, the ability to stand before a large group of youth, and the confidence to admit when you don’t know the answer.
- Table Group Leader: (Sunday Morning or Wed.) Serves as an adult presence at a table of 6-7 youth on most Sundays. (This position can be shared with another adult.) Assists the youth in completing small group discussions or activities. Getting to know your table group very well is encouraged. Deep bible knowledge is not a requirement and preparation is minimal.
- Substitute Table Leaders: These Table Leaders are not assigned to a particular table, but may “float” from table to table as needs arise.
- Retreat Chaperone: Travels with us to Camp Rockfish and joins in all retreat activities.
- Materials Preparation: Works with the lead teachers to prepare materials needed to teach the lesson. May involve cutting, photocopying, shopping for items needed for the curriculum, etc.
- Room Set-Up/Take-Down: Places all necessary materials on tables such as nametags, markers, handouts, etc. (9:20-9:45); Puts materials away and helps fold up the tables (10:45-11:00)
- Table Leader Scheduler: Uses a list of parent servants to ensure that we have enough table leaders each Sunday or Wed.
- Driver/Trip Chaperone: Volunteers to drive several youth to one of the places of worship that we visit and drive them home or to the church.
- Prayer Team: Pray for our leaders and youth as they meet for class, go on trips and attend the retreat.
Confirmation Contacts
Kim Chestnutt
Middle School Coordinator
919-467-1861, ext. 223
Patty Gothard
Administrative Assistant to Youth Ministries
919-467-1861, ext. 221
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