Wartburg Parish Confirmation Program

Peace – Chester, Peace – Steeleville, St. John – Bremen,

St. John – Post Oak, St. Peter’s – Wine Hill

Welcome to CONFIRMATION – 2017-2018

When you were baptized, your parents and sponsors promised to nurture you in the faith of our Lord until you were ready to affirm these baptismal vows and take over this responsibility for yourself. Well, the time has come for this next step in your faith journey! Confirmation is an opportunity for you to learn about faith in Jesus and to affirm the vows that were made on your behalf when you were a baby or a child.

The goals of confirmation are as follows:

  1. To provide an experience of living as disciples of Jesus Christ in community (the church – local and worldwide)
  2. To provide instruction in the faith of the church as expressed in the Lutheran tradition.
  3. To provide resources for the continued nurture of faith in Jesus Christ.

This year we continuewith our “Collaborate” curriculum. Every student receives a handbook and an NRSV Bible. Please bring these resources to every class!

7th grade students study the Old Testament in the fall and Lutheran History & Catechism in the spring. 8th grade students will study the New Testament in the fall and Lutheran Living in the spring.

Confirmation class is held each week on Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm beginning on Wednesday, August 23, 2016. Both 7th and 8th grades will meet together on the 23rd at Peace, Steeleville at 6:00 for orientation. Parents should attend this session. Subsequently, 7th grade will meet at Peace-Steeleville until Christmas break. 8th grade will meet at Post Oak until Christmas break. During Advent and Lent, we will not have regular classes, but students are expected to attend Midweek Advent & Lenten Worship services at the Wartburg Parish churches. The weeks in which there will be no class for either grade are: Thanksgiving, November 22; Christmas break - Dec. 27, Ash Wednesday – Feb. 14; Holy Week – March 28.

Requirements of the program:

  1. Attendance at class. Students are expected to attend each week. If you will be absent, be sure to let your pastor know. If you need to miss a class, you will receive a make-up assignment that will be due to your instructor at the next class.
  1. Worship attendance.Each confirmation student will be expected to attend worship each week, and also attend special services if you are able. Each student must submit 2 sermon/worship reflectionsper month. The reflections can be done for a regular Sunday service, a special midweek or festival service, or even worship at another congregation (if you go somewhere else with a friend, for instance). These reflections should be turned in to your own pastor within one week of the service. Students may turn in worship attendance for other non-Parish congregations – these forms must be signed by a parent; and the church must be in communion with our ELCA. If in doubt check with your pastor.
  2. Serving as an acolyte. The expectations for this requirement vary by congregation – check with your pastor!
  3. Memory work. Each student isto complete the following memory work:
  1. 7thGrade – the books of the Old Testament,
  2. 8th Grade – the books of the New Testament, 10 Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed & Confirmation Verse

8th Graders will choose their confirmation verse within the first 4 to 6 weeks of the Fall Session. Materials to assist with the choice of the verse will be provided during one of the early classes.

  1. Parent involvement. Parents are the primary teachers of faith for their children. Parent involvement in the program is a crucial aspect of students’ success in developing a mature faith. Parents are encouraged to talk with your students about what they are learning in class, help them with memory work, and discuss the worship & sermon reflections before they are turned in. In addition, parents will sign up or be assigned to help at classes throughout the year.

THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION

At the conclusion of the program, the 8th graders will have the opportunity to confirm their faith. It is important to note that this is not automatic. Each student is expected to participate fully in the program and the pastor of each congregation will determine which students have satisfied the requirements and are eligible for Confirmation. The Rite of Confirmation is not a graduation, but a time during public worship when the confirmands may say YES to affirm their baptismal vows. This also marks the point when the students become adult members of the congregation – able to vote at congregational meetings and hold elected offices, and expected to worship regularly and make regular contributions (financial and otherwise) to the life of the congregation. For this year’s 8th graders, Confirmation will be held on Pentecost Sunday,May 20, 2017 at the Sunday morning service at each congregation.