CONFIRMATION MINISTRY HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 CONFIRMATION MINISTRY HANDBOOK LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, SO THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE GLORY TO YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN MATTHEW 5:16

2 Confirmation Handbook Table of Contents Confirmation Ministry at Christ the King Blessing for the Journey from your CTK Faith Formation Team... 3 Confirmation What is the Point?... 4 Mission Statement... 5 CTK Confirmation Program Components Confirmation Camp... 6 Worship... 6 Sermon Note Worksheet... 7 Confirmation Sunday School Classes... 8 Hot Topics... 8 Baptism Workshop... 9 Project Expectations Mentor Relationship Council Meeting Confirmation Interviews Experiencing Faith Home & Church Partnership Expectations Checklist GraceLink Celebrations Baptism 1 st Communion Reception of the Scriptures Entering Confirmation Passing on Faith Rite of Confirmation How Will Our Family Know What s Happening

3 Dear Confirmands and Families, It is with joy and delight that we continue living out the promises we made when our children were baptized. Through the years, hundreds of children have entered into the Baptismal covenant through the ministry we are called to share at Christ the King. Promises are made not only by parents and sponsors, but by the entire Church. We see our responsibility to raise our children in the faith as both duty and delight. Thank you for allowing us to continue this journey together as family. In Holy Baptism this is the promise we made to God and to God s people: In Christian love you have presented these children for Holy Baptism. You should therefore bring them to the services of God s house, and teach them the Lord s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. As they grow in years, you should place in their hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith, that, living in the covenant of their Baptism and in communion with the Church, they may lead godly lives until the day of Jesus Christ. (from the Lutheran Book of Worship) This promise is about making disciples. It s about growing in faith and in faithfulness as a follower of our Lord. This promise is about faith formation. Faith formation does not occur only for an hour or two on Sunday morning. It happens throughout the week. Faith formation does not happen only in quiet solitude. Faith formation is a community experience! Growing in faith happens at church and in the home! Please accept this booklet as a gift. Use it as a guide that will support you and your family as you spend time learning about God s grace, living in God s grace, and telling the story of God s grace. Use it knowing that our prayers are with you as you do. Now let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. In Christ, Your CTK Faith Formation Team 3

4 Confirmation What s the Point? con fir ma tion [ˌkän-fər-ˈmā-shən] noun 1: an act or process of confirming: as (1): a Christian rite conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit and among Protestants, full church membership, (2): a ceremony, especially of Reform Judaism, confirming youths in their faith; (3) the ratification of an executive act by a legislative body Christ the King is a community committed to learning, living, and telling the story of God s grace. The Confirmation Program at Christ the King seeks to equip young men & women for a life long journey of Faith. Confirmation is a traditional word that has mistakenly come to mean a graduation from church. Don t be deceived you won t be handed a diploma at the end of this journey. God chose you as his own and God won t let you go! Confirmation is training for the rest of your life. It will challenge you to explore what you believe and to confess your faith as your own. Guided by faithful adults, young people will learn what it means to live daily as a child of God and participate in the church as an adult member of Christ the King. Key Scriptures Guiding Our Confirmation Program You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 Our Confirmation Program teaches Lutheran theology captured in Luther s seal Word Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone. Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 4

5 Mission Statement Equipping Young People for a Lifelong Journey of Faith Goal The student is affirming their Baptism - taking personal responsibility for their faith life going forward. The congregation is confirming that the student has been given proper instruction, and the opportunity to make that choice. To achieve this goal, we will provide the students with opportunities to obtain the knowledge and skills that they can use to achieve wisdom for living. Knowledge Skills Wisdom: understanding of how I am to live Worship Why and What Be at home in worship and with prayer How can I be in relationship with God? Faith Formation Bible and how to use it Do what Jesus does How do I live like Jesus? Congregational Life Mutual responsibility Caring Conversation Community Life Generous Living Who is my brother? Outreach Knowing the needs Bringing Talents Telling the Story Who is my neighbor? 5

6 Confirmation Component: Confirmation Camp Expectation: Attend Confirmation Camp We kickoff our Confirmation program with Confirmation Camp at Camp Agape (Lutheran Camp in Fuquay-Varina) each summer. This is a time of learning, making friends, creating a safe place to discover and become who God has called us to be and FUN! Camp is remembered as the highlight of Confirmation for many of our students. Scholarships are available and camp can be paid for in payments throughout the year if needed. It s the Journey, Not the Destination! Confirmation Component: Worship Expectation: Regular participation in Worship & 5 Sermon Notes or Reflections Because worship is vitally important for our Christian life, it remains central to the Confirmation program. In worship we gather together around God s Word, celebrate the sacraments, and are reminded of our call to live as God s children in the world. We ask that you make worship a priority for your family. In addition to being in worship, we expect students to complete five sermon notes or reflections. Blank worship note forms are available in the Confirmation mailbox, in the classroom, and on the website. Completed forms should be returned to the Confirmation mailbox. See sample on the next page. Making the Most Out of Worship 1) Try different services you may be surprised by the ways that God uses different worship experiences to touch our lives. 2) Do not neglect the What Did Someone Else Learn question on your sermon notes. Consider attending a worship service with your mentor. 3) Get a head start on your sermon notes! 6

7 CONFIRMATION WORSHIP NOTES Name: Date: BEFORE WORSHIP, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 1. Today I am attending worship with: Examples: family, mother, brother, friends, by myself. 2. I am coming to worship feeling: Examples: happy, sad, angry, peaceful, stressed, overwhelmed, etc. 3. Which season of the church year is it and what is the color of that season? Examples: Pentecost (Red), Ordinary Time (Green), Lent (Purple) PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 4. What did you learn from the children s sermon? 5. Which hymn/song did you like best today and why? THE SERMON: 6. What stories, examples or illustrations helped you to understand the sermon? 7. Explain 2 or more things you learned from today s sermon. A. B. 8. One thing that I learned about God from worship today is: 9. A question that I have for the Pastor, my mentor or my family about today s worship, sermon or about God is: 10. This week I will pray for: 11. One member of my church family heard this message in worship today: (You can ask anyone in the congregation; your mentor, family or friends what they heard.) Name: A message that I heard today: 7

8 Confirmation Component: Confirmation Sunday School Classes Attendance in Sunday School Christians are called to be lifelong learners. The Confirmation program is a time of learning focused on the distinctive teachings of the Lutheran faith. Classes are held from 9:45-10:45 a.m. every Sunday September thru May. If classes are missed, the students will be asked to do a make-up assignment(s). It is the responsibility of the student to get these assignments from their teachers. Students are expected to attend the High School Sunday School class in the Fall of their 9 th grade year prior to confirmation at the end of October. Making the Most of Sunday School 1) Be on time for class. 2) Be equipped with Bible, writing utensil and other needed materials. 3) Bring your best attitude and questions. Confirmation Component: Hot Topics Expectation: Attend Hot Topic Special Events As Christians, we are called to live out our faith in the world. For many of us, this is very difficult. Hot Topic events will help youth and parents explore issues such as self-image, media & materialism, war & peace, God & science, relationships and more. We will offer a variety of hot topic special events during the confirmation program. Parents and mentors are usually invited to attend. Some of these sessions will include break-outs for youth and parents. Making the Most of Hot Topics: 1) Be on time for discussions. 2) Bring an open heart and listening ear as we engage in discussions on tough issues. 8

9 Confirmation Component: Baptism WOrkshop Expectation: Attend One Baptism Workshop (1 Hour) Before you began your confirmation journey, you began another journey the one we call Walking Wet. It is your baptismal journey. Your parents and our congregation welcomed you into the Lord s family as a fellow member of the Body of Christ. At Christ the King, we welcome children, youth, and adults to the baptismal font. Learning what it means to walk wet is a continual process, and your confirmation journey ends with you affirming the promises your parents and congregation made to you at baptism. A baptismal workshop is for anyone who is interested in becoming baptized, but also for those who are continuing along their baptismal journey. We invite our confirmation students, parents, and mentors to come to one of the quarterly workshops during their time in confirmation. Making the Most of Attending a Baptism Workshop 1) Take some time to find out about your baptism prior to the workshop. 2) Bring your journal from Confirmation Camp. 3) Try to attend the worship services during which other attendees are baptized. 4) Let the Mentor registrar know when you have completed this activity. God invites you to receive a beautiful gift God s blessing of your child through baptism. 9

10 Confirmation Component: ProjectS Expectation: Complete Two Projects All Projects will keep in mind the four ministry areas & resources of CTK and the wisdom questions outlined below. Spring of 8 th Grade As part of the mentor program, each student will interview their mentor and prepare a Faith Story Bio to be included in this class s version of Telling the Story of God s Grace: Connecting the Generations. The interview template is located on the CTK Confirmation web page and can be completed at any time. You will also find a copy of the previous year s book to give you a better understanding of what is expected. The final booklet is distributed to families and mentors at the Evening of Honor banquet for confirmands held the Sunday before your Rite of Confirmation service. We ask that you submit a photo of you and your mentor with your story. Final Project Final projects are completed by September of the 9 th grade year but can be started at any point in the process. They are intended to lead toward adult involvement in the congregation, community, and wider church. In keeping with our mission of equipping young people for a lifelong journey of Faith, this project will show an understanding of CTK s four ministry areas & resources. Worship How can I be in relationship with God? What does it mean to be at home in worship and with prayer? Faith Formation How do I live like Jesus? How do we do what Jesus does? Congregational Life Who is my brother? Caring conversation, community life, generous living. Outreach Who is my neighbor? Bringing talents, telling the story. This project will be chosen by the youth with the help of teachers, mentors and parents. Each project should be a reflection of the individual, who God created them to be. You will find a list of projects completed by previous students on the next page to help you get started. Remember to find the thing that speaks to you. Explore an area of the church that you can envision yourself participating in as an adult member in the future. Talk to everyone you come across about how they are involved at CTK and what they love about it. Making the Most of Projects: 1) Plan ahead. Every class gives you material that you might choose to use in your project. 2) Talk to your teachers, parents and mentor when you have a project idea that you would like to pursue. 10

11 Final Projects completed by previous students Leadership in GraceLink events such as the Sacred Tent Retreat, Bible Speed Dating, Sanctuary Crawl, First Camp Experience Working with the Resource Ministry Area to compile church assets document, enhance landscaping, deep clean various areas, create music library spread sheet Preparing and leading the annual Easter Egg Hunt Organizing child care for congregational meeting Leading Wednesday night Lenten or Advent groups for children Creating how to manuals for technical equipment Outreach projects including Backpack Buddies, Angel Tree, Blood Drive, food and hygiene product drives Various artistic projects including posters found in Luther Café and classrooms Essay on the meaning of Confirmation Reflection on the book of Revelation Compilation of Mentor Faith Stories Organization and leadership of Vacation Bible School activities Reproduction of Life Sticks faith formation question cards Assisting with Adventurers Youth Group Lock-In Writing devotions for youth groups or special publications Leading bingo night for differently abled Working with the CTK Preschool on playground enhancements Assisting with planning and publicizing Congregational Life events such as Rally Day and Oktoberfest Making a musical or performance offering in worship Leading a contemporary worship service with a worship team 11

12 Confirmation Component: Mentor Relationship Expectation: 10 Mentor Activities Research shows that students who are engaged and continue to grow in their faith throughout their lives have at least 8 meaningful adult relationships as youth. Knowing this, we ask each confirmand to invite one member of CTK to walk alongside them in their Confirmation journey. These relationships allow the student and adult to explore their faith, share in fellowship, and partake in service. Each mentor pair is asked to complete 10 mentor activities together. Mentors should report the activities with the Mentor Report Form available in the Confirmation Mailbox or the Mentor Activity Coordinator. All mentors will have training and have completed a criminal background check. Once a mentor relationship is established no changes should take place without conversation with the Coordinator of Confirmation. If you need assistance in pairing up with the mentor, please let us know! We have a pool of volunteers ready and willing to help! Making the Most of the Mentor Relationship 1) Pray! 2) Choose a mentor and stick with them! Consider someone outside your normal circle of adults. Consider an adult who is involved in something you are interested in learning more about at CTK. 3) Participate in a variety of activities together (service, fellowship, conversation). No matter the activity spend time sharing and talking together! 4) Join forces with other mentor pairs! 5) Invite your mentor to important, non-confirmation events in your life (sporting events, plays, etc ) Confirmation Mentor Activity Report Student s Name: Date of activity: Activity: Mentor's Name & Signature: 12

13 An Assortment of Mentor Activity Ideas by Ministry Area Faith Formation Ministry Area How do I live like Jesus? Attend a hot topic session Bring your mentee to a bible study of small group session that you regularly attend Share your favorite bible verses or stories with each other Choose a Lenten or Advent devotional to complete together Exchange answers to the Mentor question of the week with each other through or texting. Outreach Ministry Area Who is my neighbor? Attend a work day for Camp Agape. Participate in the CROP Walk. Offer to staff the nursery for a Sunday service. Attend a gleaning event. Join your mentee at a service event that they participate in outside of church through school, scouts, etc. Resource Ministry Area Keeping the lights on Attend a work day at church. Holiday and seasonal decorating days Painting Planting and weeding Clean up day Washing windows Special cleaning projects Run projector for Contemporary worship 13

14 Congregational Life Ministry Area Who is My Brother? Attend a council meeting for one hour. Discuss how the church uses this body to govern itself. Attend the Annual Congregational meeting or a special session meeting together. Offer to assist Parish Life with an event. When in 8 th grade, serve at the Evening of Honor for the 9 th grade confirmation class. Offer to decorate a bulletin board or complete office tasks as needed. Organize a game or movie night with other mentor/mentee pairs. If your mentee is active in youth group offer to attend a session with them as a volunteer. Worship Ministry Area How can I be in relationship with God? Attend a worship service together and complete a set of worship notes. Choose a Sunday and attend both the Traditional Service and the ABC Service and compare the experience. Participate in a GraceLink or other congregational blessings. Attend a service in which your mentee participates as a musician, acolyte etc. Discuss their experience. Pray for your mentee regularly Complete a prayer journal and discuss with your mentee Take a prayer walk with your mentee Attend a Lenten service 14

15 Confirmation Component: Council Meeting Expectation: Attend One Council Meeting (1 Hour) or attend the Annual Congregational Meeting in November Being confirmed is not only an opportunity to explore your Lutheran faith but to find-out how CTK works and lives out its calling as a church. We ask the each confirmand attend one council meeting. The expectation is that confirmands need only to attend the 1 st hour of any one meeting. At the council meeting you will see what the leadership of the church prays and talks about and see faith in action. Making the Most of Attending a Council Meeting 1) Consider making this a mentor activity. Afterwards, stop for ice cream (or the like) and talk about it. 2) Let Mentor registrar know when you have completed this activity. Confirmation Components: Confirmation Interviews Expectation: Final Project Interview in 9 th Grade Students will experience a great deal during their time in CTK s confirmation program. Confirmation interviews provide an opportunity for confirmands to reflect on what they have learned, ask questions they are still wondering about and engage with Pastors and staff. In the fall of 9 th grade prior to the Rite of Confirmation, interviews will be held to engage the student in conversation about their journey over the last two years. They will defend their final projects and respond to questions. Questions may include: What does being confirmed mean to you? What role does your Christian faith play in your everyday life? What was the most effective part of your confirmation preparation? These interviews will be conducted by both the Pastoral Staff and the Director of Faith Formation. Making the Most of Your Interviews 1) Complete the interview questionnaire prior to your interview and be ready to share your answers. 2) Be honest. If there were parts of the program that need reform, let us know. If you would love to see something added, please share. We truly do appreciate your time and insight! 15

16 Confirmation Components: Experiencing CTK Expectation: Try Something New! Get Involved! There are so many ways for a confirmand to be involved in the life of Christ the King during (and beyond) their time in the Confirmation Program. We encourage every confirmand to find at least one way to connect to the CTK community. Youth Groups are one way to get involved. We have active MS & HS youth groups that meet on Sunday evenings. Activities include games, faith conversation and fellowship with friends. Our youth programs also host a variety of off-site retreats such as the HS Beach Retreat, Lutherock Weekend, and much more. Youth Group is not the only way to get connected! Perhaps you would prefer a smaller, more focused environment. If so, consider joining a small group bible study or read the CTK Lenten Devotional with your Mentor. If you have a gift for music, consider joining the Youth Choir or a Worship Team. If you are a confirmand who enjoys service projects, volunteer with the Social Ministry Team as they reach-out to neighbors in our community. Enjoy speaking in front of groups? Consider being a worship assistant for any of our services. Use your imagination. Try using different gifts and get involved. At confirmation interviews, each confirmand will be asked what they have tried or been involved with during their Confirmation journey. They will be asked what that experience taught them about themselves, God, and their future. Middle school youth participating in the 2011 Salt & Light Mission trip in Raleigh, NC. 16

17 Confirmation Components Home & Church Partnership Expectation: Share the Experience Confirmation needs to be a church/family partnership! It should involve every member of your immediate family, as many of your extended family members (and faithful friends) as possible, and your church family, too. Why? Because, when we re baptized, all those people promised to support and encourage us in our faith journeys. Because the learning and growing that prepares us for affirming that baptism ( being confirmed ) can t happen in the 1-2 hours/week that we spend at church. Because faith is formed through personal, trusted relationships, most often the ones in our own homes. So, parents: get and stay involved! Attend Confirmation Hot Topics and special events. Ask your child what they are learning in class. Read the newsletter and use the conversation starters. We also encourage you to: 1) Pray regularly for and with your child and for class leaders, fellow students, and their families; 2) Participate regularly in worship and other parts of congregational life together; 3) Provide opportunities to answer questions about your faith and life; 4) Create opportunities to ask questions about your student s learning. And students: make the most of this partnership! 1) Pray regularly for yourself and others; 2) Use your Bible; 3) Ask questions; 5) Share your thoughts, feelings, and doubts; 4) Talk about what you are learning; 5) Participate in congregational life. CTK is full of faith-filled people of all ages. Make them part of your journey- We will all grow in faith as a result! 17

18 Christ the King Confirmation Ministry Expectations CHECKLIST Mentor chosen and confirmed o Reported to Coordinator Confirmation Camp Attend Luther Lock-in (date) 5 Sermon Notes Attendance in Sunday School Classes Complete Ten Mentor Activities Attend One Council Meeting (1 Hour) or Annual Meeting (date) Attend One Baptism Workshop (date) Mentor Faith Story (date ed completed template to Coordinator). Final Project o Chosen and confirmed with Coordinator (date) o Completed (date) Confirmation Interview (date) 18

19 GraceLink Celebrations Passing on the Christian faith from generation to generation is at the heart of the life and work of the church. It is more than content. It is helping one another see God alive and on the move in our lives. Our confirmands are in a special season of this learning process. We celebrate this season with three milestones. Entering Confirmation Milestone (Sunday of Confirmation Camp) This milestone marks the beginning of the Confirmation journey for each confirmand. During worship the confirmands, parents, and mentors are invited forward to receive a blessing as they begin this journey together. This GraceLink allows the congregation to see who is beginning the confirmation process and offer prayers. Evening of Honor (Sunday before Confirmation) Confirmands, their families, and mentors are invited to join us for dinner. This is an opportunity to celebrate, thank our teachers and mentors, and reflect on the journey. Rite of Confirmation (Reformation) As the confirmation journey comes to a close, students will have an opportunity to affirm their baptism, commit to live as adult members of CTK, and strive daily to live their faith. Remember it is not a graduation! You are God s and God will not let you go! Previous GraceLinks If you have not celebrated these sacraments and/or milestones at Christ the King or in another church family, please let the Confirmation Coordinator know. We will be in conversation with your family to see how and when we can celebrate these together. Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism Baptism is a sacrament in which God claims us as his children. We are forgiven our sins, promised everlasting life, and made a part of God s family. We celebrate the sacrament in worship promising to join as parents, sponsors, and the church family to raise this child in the faith. We recognize God s work in the sacrament through a baptismal milestone. Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion Communion is also a sacrament of the church in which we receive the body and blood of Christ. Christ the King allows children to begin taking communion as early as first grade. Children attend a two week class led by lay leaders and pastors on the importance of communion, the special place this meal has in our faith, and the how-to s of receiving the gift. Receiving the Word of God In 5 th grade, students take a break from their normal Sunday School curriculum and receive further instruction in communion. Each spring, students are given a study Bible personalized by their family and by the church. They are invited to learn how it has nourished the faith of others with a Bible Speed Dating event. 19

20 How Will Our Family Know What s Happening? Confirmation Corner: Our monthly newsletter will include information on events, ideas for mentor activities, and much more. It will be ed to you each month, but can always be found on the website or on the Faith Formation bulletin board. Weekly Announcements: Watch the Weekly Courier for announcements. Monthly Courier: The monthly courier will include important dates as well as faith stories that highlight life at CTK. s: Christ the King uses extensively to communicate with classes, groups, and members. It s very important that we know your current address(es) so that you don t miss important information. It s great if we have individual addresses for confirmation students and each of their parents (we can include both home and work s if you d like). You ll be receiving s from our Faith Formation staff on a monthly basis. As we get close to major events like camp or your Rite of Confirmation, you will see an increase in frequency. If you plan to change your address, please let the church office know so we can update our master database. Phone: It s also extremely helpful to the church office if you let us know your home and cell phone numbers. As the world moves increasingly to electronic communication, we may also in the future use group text messages for urgent, short messages. Please keep us updated of any phone number changes. CTK Website: You can check the CTK Website ( for updated information about the program, important dates coming up, and forms needed for special events. Go to Faith Formation to find the Confirmation page. Questions? Don t be afraid to ask! Feel free to contact the Youth and Adult Faith Formation Coordinator, Heidi Kleine at heidi.kleine@christthekingcary.org or ext