Confirmation

The goals of our confirmation program are to:

Deepen youth understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Equip youth to make an "I" commitment to Christian Discipleship.

Information regarding confirmation is mailed to youth and their families in August of the summer between 8^th and 9^th grade. A meeting to share information about confirmation is held in September. Confirmation Sunday is always held on the first Sunday in May.

The main components of the confirmation process include:

Mentor and Youth Meetings: Each confirmation youth is paired with an active adult member of the congregation. Mentors and youth communicate on a weekly basis, working on seminar session follow-up activities, prayer support, and other activities designed to expose youth to multiple dimensions of discipleship.

Anchor Events: involve all confirmation youth, mentors, and confirmation coordinator in full-group experiences. These include the "kick-off" event, the retreat, and confirmation weekend activities.

Seminar Sessions: Monthly seminars that youth attend with adult mentors. Topics for the seminars include the Bible, God, the Church, Spiritual Disciplines, and ministry.

Service projects and experiences of the wider church: Youth work with mentors to fulfill requirements for service and wider church experiences.

Families or youth with question about the confirmation process should speak to the senior pastor, the Rev. Joy Barrett, or our coordinator for confirmation, Kate Horazdovsky, Director of Youth Ministries. You may contact either through the church office.

Confirmation Sunday

Sunday, May 5, 2013 11:00 a.m. Reception to Follow in Grams Hall

The confirmation process is meant to empower you to affirm your baptism. This is when youth themselves say "yes," or "not yet," or "no" to their identify as disciples of Jesus Christ. No matter which decision you make, the process doesn't end. You must continue to search, move, seek, ask questions, and walk through the journey of faith.

The following questions will make up parts of the church liturgy for the confirmation service. These are the vows you are making to the church and the church is making to you. Are you ready to say the "I dos" and "we wills?" This is a question for them to answer. Parents/guardians/mentors should discuss this decision with you, but do make sure you understand that at this point the decision is yours to make. And, I and/or Pastor Joy are willing and available to talk with you about whether you want to be confirmed. Please contact either of us.

Take some time to go through the following questions. Your responses, if you choose to take part in the confirmation service, are in bold type and follow the question.

Do you desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

I do.

Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

I do.

Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ's disciple?

I do.

Do you promise to resist evil, injustice, and oppression, in whatever forms they present themselves?

I do.

Do you promise to serve Christ, as an active member of the Christian church, celebrating Christ's presence, and furthering Christ's mission in the world, in union with people of all ages, nations, and races?

I do.

As members of Christ's universal church, will you be loyal to the Untied Methodist Church and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries.

We will.

As members of this congregation, the First United Methodist Church of Chelsea, will you faithfully participate in its ministries, offering your prayers, your presences, your gifts, and your service.

We will.

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