Confirmation
The Experience
Through the Confirmation experience, individuals “confirm” the promises made in faith at the time of their baptism. Our program is designed to help you better understand how you can keep these promises as you live as a Jesus teaches us to live - who taught us to love others, forgive those who hurt us, and to stand up for those who are being bullied, rejected or ignored. Choosing to follow Christ is the most important decision you can make, and we want walk with you on that journey.
Participation in the Confirmation program is a decision you should not take lightly as it affects the entire family. Confirmation is a voluntary program and we assume that by enrolling, students and their families agree to all the requirements you are reading about on this page. Join us as we experience God in our lives – together!
Click on the box below to register for Confirmation 2011-12
Parents – We want you to know:
- We help your child discover God’s love and live their faith every day.
- We create innovative curriculum, programs and experiences to make faith real for your child.
- You are the most important person in your child’s faith development and we are here to support you.
Students - We want you to know:
- This is a place for you and your friends.
- It’s a place to discover more about God and yourself.
- You can help change the world.
Service Projects - Grades 7, 8 & 9
Two small group projects and one family project per year.
Expectation: Each small group is asked to participate in two service projects a year. Each family is asked to participate in one service project per year.
There are many opportunities listed in the Service Ideas Notebook located in the Youth Center, such as those listed below.
Service Project Ideas
| • Worship Helpers (Any weekend) | • Giving Tree (Nov.-Dec.) |
| • Food Shelf (Any time) | • JESUS Delivers (Saturdays) |
| • Feed My Starving Children | • Kids Against Hunger Meal Packing (Feb. 2012) |
| • Children’s events | • Lutefisk Dinner |
| • Leaf raking or snow shoveling | • Nursing home visits or hospital |
| • Clothing, coats or shoe drives |
Other Opportunities
Special Events – Grades 7, 8 & 9
Throughout the year special junior high events will be scheduled, such as:
– Late-nighters in fall, winter and spring
– 30-Hour Famine
– Day trips & more!
You will learn about these at Confirmation, through the mail, the Trinity Today, or the Trinity web site.
Worship Bands – Grades 7, 8 & 9
If you love music and love God, join our worship band. We are always looking for more singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, pianists and whatever you might play! Bands play at Confirmation, camp and special events.
Special Grade 7 & 8 Requirements
JUNIOR HIGH SUMMER CAMP AT LUTHER DELL
For 2012 camp dates check back after January 1. We are currently making changes to our camp schedule for the summer.
Camp is a wonderful opportunity for students to take time away from their hectic lives and discover God through music, games, talks, and endless fun. Going to camp leads to lasting relationships and memories and important encounters with God.
Expectation: Each student is expected to attend a four-night Confirmation camp during both summers after completing grades 7 & 8. Scholarships and fundraisers are readily available.
Special Grade 9 & 10 Requirements
Tenth-Grade Fall Retreat 2011: Date TBA
The class will go on a retreat together as a capstone to their three-year experience and as a launching point for their high school faith experience.
Expectation: Each student about to be confirmed is expected to attend a weekend retreat.
Ninth-Grade Faith Statement Paper
Expectation: Each student in Grade 9 will be asked to write a two-page paper describing their faith journey to be completed during Fall 2011.
Capstone Trip
Expectation: The summer after their ninth-grade year confirmation students are encouraged to attend Florida Beach Camp or lead at VBS, or Luther Dell Camp.
Confirmation Interview
Expectation: Each student will meet one-on-one with their small group leader to discuss the student’s faith journey and desire to be confirmed at Trinity. The meeting will take place during the fall of their tenth-grade year.
Confirmation Stole
A Confirmation stole is a representation of you, the right side showing symbols of your faith and the left side showing symbols of your family, interests, talents, etc.
Expectation: Each student is expected to make a stole before the Rite of Confirmation.
Fall Gatherings: Sept. 28; Oct. 5, 12 & 26, 2011, 7:15-8:30 p.m.
Grade 10 students: Each small group will meet during the Fall of 2011 to prepare for the Rite of Confirmation, finish their projects, and do their confirmation interview.
Rite of Confirmation - Oct. 30, 2011, 2 p.m.
Rehearsal: Oct. 29, 2011, 9-11 a.m.
This is the day the Confirmation class publicly affirms their baptism and personal faith.
Expectation: Each student must attend a rehearsal the Saturday morning just prior to Confirmation Sunday from 9-11 a.m. to rehearse the service and for photos. Each student must attend the Rite of Confirmation to be confirmed.
More details about the retreat, paper, projects, capstone trip, Confirmation interview, stole and Rite of Confirmation will be given out during the year.
Expectations
Every one of our Confirmation requirements is designed to encourage you to grow closer to God and develop a lifestyle that will help you continue growing closer to God. The youth staff at Trinity is more than willing to help your family understand and complete the following requirements.
Wednesdays: Grades 7 & 8 - 6:30-8 p.m. Grade 9 - 7:15-8:30 p.m.
Students in Grades 7 & 8 kick-off Wednesday nights with a high-energy worship and teaching session in the Worship Center. Mid-way through their evening they transition to small groups for a study and discussion time with peers and a leader.
Grade 9 students will be working toward completing a series of projects that help them grow in and express their faith. Evenings include small group time, speakers and fun faith experiences.
Expectation: You are expected to be at all Wednesday night meetings. You may miss two for sickness or conflicts. Students missing more than two nights will be responsible for completing make-up work.
Worship Attendance – Grades 7, 8 & 9
Part of Confirmation is equipping you to become fully active members of the church. As part of this preparation we ask that you attend worship services regularly.
Expectation: Worship attendance is tracked by students bringing in worship bulletins to their small group leader. Students should attend 10 worship services and bring in a bulletin from each service to their small group leader to record.
Behavior Guidelines
Confirmation at Trinity is a three-year journey starting in the fall of seventh grade, and ending in the fall of student’s tenth-grade year.
In order to make Confirmation the best possible, we strive to create a positive experience. We will not allow negative behaviors from a few to ruin the experience for others. We aren’t expecting perfection, but we do expect each person to give his or her best possible effort. In the event of a behavioral issue we will try to help the student by going through the following process:
1st step: A verbal warning.
2nd step: Pulling them out of the group to talk to a leader.
3rd step: A phone call to parents.
4th step: A parent will need to attend Confirmation with the student until the behavior is resolved.
The following are our basic expectations:
- Be where you are supposed to be on time.
- Respect God, people, and property.
- Do not distract others during times of prayer, worship, or teaching.
- Do not make fun of others, fight, use offensive language, etc.
- Listen to all leaders and staff.
- Damage done to any church property will be paid for/restored by the people responsible.
- Leave distracting or dangerous items at home including but not limited to: electronic music and media devices, weapons, offensive clothing (same rules as the schools), drugs, alcohol, and please turn cell phones off.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God–what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2
