Confirmation
The Rejoice Confirmation Program
2012 Confirmation Info Letter and Interview Schedule
What is Confirmation? Confirmation marks the beginning of a life-long journey of following Jesus. It’s a journey that no one can go at alone, which is why our Confirmation program is built around relationships. Together, your group will discover and talk about eight foundational beliefs of the Christian faith: God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, humanity, sin salvation the Church, and Heaven. In addition to that, you will learn about the Lutheran branch of Christianity. You’ll learn what makes us unique and how a guy named Martin Luther changed the face of the church forever and why he’s such a big deal.
Who can be Confirmed? All students in 8th grade or above who have come to a faith that Jesus Christ is God in human form, died to pay the full penalty of sin, rose from the dead and alone offers salvation to the world are ready to be confirmed. You do not need to be a member of Rejoice to be confirmed here. All students wishing to be confirmed in 2012 must be registered no later than October 5, 2011. Please click here to download a confirmation registration form.
What to expect: Confirmation is not school. So don’t expect to have homework. You won’t. Don’t expect to have to memorize all the answers. You don’t have to. Don’t expect to sit quietly and listen to someone lecture you on Christianity. Because that won’t happen. At Confirmation, we want you to contribute to the conversation by asking questions, sharing your thoughts and opinions about stuff and having discussions with the Group. The hope for you at Confirmation is that you’ll know a little better what you believe about God and why.
Confirmation Checkpoints: We take Confirmation seriously. And although it’s a laid-back program, we also have some expectations of the students who are going to profess their faith in Jesus. We expect that all the students in the Confirmation program do the following:
- Attend church regularly
- Attend Matrix regularly (at least 60% attendance)
- Attend ALL Confirmation Workshops
Confirmation Workshops: Starting in October, throughout the year in Matrix we will meet as a Confirmation class to discuss one of the topics mentioned above. This will take place on an Explore night during the regular mentor group time. Our meeting will last about 30 minutes or so, but it provides the opportunity for the whole group to get together and talk about that evening’s topic.
Our workshop schedule is as follows:
- September 21st - Confirmation Meeting with Parents
- October 12 - Confirmation Workshop #1
- November 9 - Confirmation Workshop #2
- January 4 - Confirmation Workshop #3
- February 1 - Confirmation Workshop #4
- April 11 - Confirmation Workshop #5
Additional Confirmation Information: In addition to regular attendance at church, Matrix and your Confirmation Workshops, there are a few more steps that we ask of our confirmands.
You will be asked to choose a Bible verse that is meaningful to you. This along with your full name, parents' names, and Godparents'/sponsors' names will appear in the bulletin on Confirmation Sunday. This information is due to the office by Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
Attend an “Exit Interview.” This is a 30-minute pastor-family interview that includes the youth minister, pastor, both parents (if possible), and the confirmation student. It gives the confirmand an opportunity to talk about their experience in Matrix, what they've learned and how they see their future walk with God. We also use this time to individually address particular subjects that your child is curious about. Don’t worry! These interviews are actually very relaxed, informal and fun! Interviews will be held on weekday afternoons and evenings during the spring. Click on the link at the top of the page for your interview time.
Write a short, 2-3 paragraph “Faith Story.” You will read this during your exit interview. In it, you will talk about your church experience, why you want to be Confirmed, and how you came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Confirmation rehearsal is on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 9:00 am. All confirmands, along with at least one parent, are required to attend rehearsal.
Confirmation Sunday is May 6, 2012 at the 10:30 service. This will be a service dedicated to the rite of Confirmation with music, message, communion, and laying-on of hands ceremony for each confirmand. Your mentors will also be a part of the event. This is always a very full worship service, so plan to arrive early. Please invite friends and family!