Trinity Lutheran Church Confirmation Program - Seventh Grade

Trinity firmly believes that parents are the primary faith teachers. Our responsibility is to support you as you raise your children to know and love Jesus. Because of the Biblical command, we expect that you will be an active part of the Confirmation process. Confirmation is a practice or “rite” in which a person publicly admits (or “professes”) his/her faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is a confirmation of the faith that God has created in us. We invite all young Christians who have been baptized into the Christian faith to be a part of our program starting in the 7th grade. Students can join later than the 7th grade year and start the two year process at the grade that they are in. Speak directly to the Confirmation Coordinator if your student is starting the program after 7th grade.

The Parent/Confirmand Video Series is a 10ish minute teaching with discussion questions for parents and confirmands. This will give you, the parents, the tools to help guide your child through different topics of faith. Your family will grow closer and more comfortable in having these faith talks. Our 7th grade lessons focus around the 6 Chief Parts of Luther’s Small Catechism: The Ten Commandments, The Apostle’s Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, The Sacraments (Baptism and Communion), and Confession and Absolution. Tests must be completed on Sunday mornings as a final element to the videos. The memory work for each lesson will be included on each test. In order to give families some freedom on when the videos are being watched, each test will be available at every Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group meeting during the quarter that it was released. These videos will be released in groups at the beginning of each school quarter. At the time of each release, we will have a meeting with families to discuss the upcoming topics and what questions you will likely face. There is also a Facebook group run by our staff that will be a medium for parents to reach out to each other and for us to answer any of your questions.

The 9:30 Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group is an interactive class that combines the use of large group teachings and small group discussions. Class format combines games, activities, Bible Study, and art and drama to introduce students to the materials. Small group guides work through the materials with the kids and help it stick. The Bible study will focus on key stories and lessons from both the Old and New Testament. We are looking for small group leaders who can help guide these discussions!

Serving in Worship is one of the many ways to serve our church. Through allowing our students to serve in different areas of the church, they can be trained and continue to serve after they complete the confirmation program. These service areas include being an acolyte, a greeter, an usher, serving in Kids’ Connection, working the soundboard, or other areas that your student might be interested in. Students must serve a total of 10 times over the course of the 2 year program. 5 of these times must be as an acolyte. The other 5 times are the student’s choice of other service opportunities, but can also include more acolyting. We want our students to have the opportunity to experience and serve in a variety of worship styles, so of the 5 required acolyting times, 2 of these must be in the Sanctuary, 2 of these must be in Journey, and 1 of these must be at a special service, such as a holiday or Lent service There is training for these opportunities in the fall and throughout the year. In order to track who served in what service, the serving student must have a pastor or volunteer leader sign the worship guide. Turn this signed guide into the Confirmation Coordinator. A sign up to serve will be available at the beginning of July and January.

Serving in Social Ministry is a foundational part of being a disciple of Jesus. Each year, every student must participate in at least 2 service opportunities of at least 2 hours each- a total of 4 hours per year. These opportunities can include assisting in our various outreach ministries here at Trinity or a project outside of Trinity that your family values. There is a form on our website to complete after serving, telling us what you did and how God was present. During the course of the year, the Jr. High Youth Group will provide 2, non mandatory, service projects that anyone can participate in that will fulfill this requirement.

Retreats are an opportunity for the students to be taken off campus for an intentional time of fun, fellowship, and learning. Our retreats are all led by our Confirmation Coordinator and the Pastoral staff, with the help of other volunteers and chaperones. Our 7th grade students’ retreat is on the first weekend of December. This year, from December 1-3, our students will be at Echo Grove Camp learning about 4 Rocks of Discipleship and will discuss what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

7th Grade Requirements

• Register for the Confirmation Program.

• Church attendance: at least 75% of the services, as measured by family participation in “We Care Cards”

• Watch and complete all video lessons with parents designated for 7th graders.Tests will be available at Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group as a final component to each lesson.

• Memory Work will be included in the video lesson handout. The memory test will be included on the video lesson test taken during Sunday morning’s meetings.

• Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group attendance: at least 50% of the meetings from September to May.

• Serve in public worship service at Trinity at least 10 times over the course of the 2 year program. 5 times must be by serving as an acolyte. The other 5 times can be in an area of your choosing. Turn in a signed (by Pastor or Volunteer Leader) copy of worship guide after serving. This is explained in the Serving in Worship Section.

• Complete at least 2 service projects of 2 hours each and fill out an online report.

• Attend and do a report on the 7th Grade Confirmation Retreat. This years retreat will be December 1-3 at Echo Grove Camp.

• Trinity’s day school religion class will follow and reinforce the teachings of the video lessons.

• Early Communion Class available prior to Maundy Thursday.

Contact the Confirmation Coordinator, Andrew Brazeal at 586-731-4490 ext.152 or Abrazeal@trinityutica.com if you have any questions about our program or would like to help in any way!

Trinity Lutheran Church Confirmation Program - Eighth Grade

Trinity firmly believes that parents are the primary faith teachers. Our responsibility is to support you as you raise your children to know and love Jesus. Because of the Biblical command, we expect that you will be an active part of the Confirmation process. Confirmation is a practice or “rite” in which a person publicly admits (or “professes”) his/her faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is a confirmation of the faith that God has created in us. We invite all young Christians who have been baptized into the Christian faith to be a part of our program starting in the 7th grade. Students can join later than the 7th grade year and start the two year process at the grade that they are in. Speak directly to the Confirmation Coordinator if your student is starting the program after 7th grade.

The Parent/Confirmand Video Series is a 10ish minute teaching with discussion questions for parents and confirmands. This will give you, the parents, the tools to help guide your child through different topics of faith. Your family will grow closer and more comfortable in having these faith talks. Our 8th grade program focuses more on apologetics - defending the faith. They will take a closer look at who Jesus is, how we got the Bible, why our faith is important in an ever changing culture, and how to stand up for that faith. Tests must be completed on Sunday mornings as a final element to the videos. The memory work for each lesson will be included on each test. In order to give families some freedom on when the videos are being watched, each test will be available at every Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group meeting during the quarter that it was released. These videos will be released in groups at the beginning of each school quarter. At the time of each release, we will have a meeting with families to discuss the upcoming topics and what questions you will likely face. There is also a Facebook group run by our staff that will be a medium for parents to reach out to each other and for us to answer any of your questions.

The 9:30 Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group is an interactive class that combines the use of large group teachings and small group discussions. Class format combines games, activities, Bible Study, and art and drama to introduce students to the materials. Small group guides work through the materials with the kids and help it stick. The Bible study will focus on key stories and lessons from both the Old and New Testament. We are looking for small group leaders who can help guide these discussions!

Serving in Worship is one of the many ways to serve our church Through allowing our students to serve in different areas of the church, they can be trained and continue to serve after they complete the confirmation program. These service areas include being an acolyte, a greeter, an usher, serving in Kid’s Connection, working the soundboard, or other areas that your student might be interested in. Students must serve a total of 10 times over the course of the 2 year program. 5 of these times must be as an acolyte. The other 5 times are the student’s choice of other service opportunities, but can also include more acolyting. We want our students to have the opportunity to experience and serve in a variety of worship styles, so of the 5 required acolyting times, 2 of these must be in the Sanctuary, 2 of these must be in Journey, and 1 of these must be at a special service, such as a holiday or Lent service There is training for these opportunities in the fall and throughout the year. In order to track who served in what service, the serving student must have a pastor or volunteer leader sign the worship guide. Turn this guide into the Confirmation Coordinator. A sign up to serve will be available at the beginning of July and January.

Serving in Social Ministry is a foundational part of being a disciple of Jesus. Each year, every student must participate in at least 2 service opportunities of at least 2 hours each- a total of 4 hours per year. These opportunities can include assisting in our various outreach ministries here at Trinity or a project outside of Trinity that your family values. There is a form on our website to complete after serving, telling us what you did and how God was present. During the course of the year, the Jr. High Youth Group will provide 2, non mandatory, service projects that anyone can participate in that will fulfill this requirement.

Retreats are an opportunity for the students to be taken off campus for an intentional time of fun, fellowship, and learning. Our retreats are all led by our Confirmation Coordinator and the Pastoral staff, with the help of other volunteers and chaperones. Our 8th grade students’ retreat is mid March. This year’s retreat is on March 9-11 at Echo Grove Camp. The focus will be on our Faith Story. The students will be learning about why their faith story is important and how to share it. The report that follows will involve creating a booklet expressing their faith story. These will be displayed during the Confirmation Ceremony on May 5th, 2018.

8th Grade Requirements

• Register for the Confirmation Program.

• Church attendance: at least 75% of the services, as measured by family participation in “We Care Cards”

• Watch and complete all video lessons with parents designated for 8th graders. Tests will be available at Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group as a final component to each lesson.

• Memory Work will be included in the video lesson handout. The memory test will be included on the video lesson test taken during Sunday morning’s meetings.

• Sunday Morning Jr. High Youth Group attendance: at least 50% of the meetings from September to May.

• Serve in public worship service at Trinity at least 10 times over the course of the 2 year program. 5 times must be by serving as an acolyte. The other 5 times can be in an area of your choosing. Turn in a signed (by Pastor or Volunteer Leader) copy of worship guide after serving. This is explained in the Serving in Worship Section.

• Complete at least 2 service projects of 2 hours each and fill out online report.

• Attend and report on the 8th grade Confirmation Retreat on March 9-11 at Echo Grove Camp.

• Complete Confirmation Service paperwork and submit by the due date.

• Attend Confirmation Interview as assigned in spring.

• Have Confirmation photos taken. This is a free service done at Trinity for the class composite photo. Purchasing photos is optional.

• IF NEEDED: Purchase a Confirmation robe if you do not have one to use.

• Attend the Confirmation Ceremony on May 5th, 2018 at 11:00 am.

• Trinity’s day school religion class will follow and reinforce the teachings of the video lessons.

• Early Communion Class available prior to Maundy Thursday.

Contact the Confirmation Coordinator, Andrew Brazeal at 586-731-4490 ext.152 or Abrazeal@trinityutica.com if you have any questions about our program or would like to help in any way!