The confirmation program takes place over two years. Upon confirmation, youth are considered adult members of the church. The confirmation program aims to fully integrate youth into the adult life, responsibilities, and relationships of the church.

The research shows that in order for youth to feel belonging and responsibility toward a church community, they need their own roles and their own friendships. While learning the theology and history of the church is important, it’s even more essential that youth come to feel like this is a community of their own–a community where they belong and where they can use their unique gifts to serve others as the hands and feet of Christ.

With the goals of belonging and responsibility in mind, the confirmation program uses a multifaceted approach to help youth learn and practice the confirmation promises within real church relationships. Time, experience, and togetherness will be critical components of the confirmation program–a training intensive for running the race of faith laid out before us (Hebrews 12:1).

The program begins with an overnight retreat and lock-in at the church on Saturday, September 21-Sunday, September 22. This retreat sets the stage for the rest of the confirmation program.

• The traditional confirmation class takes place twice a month on Sunday evenings from 5-7 PM. This time includes sharing a simple meal, playing games, and deepening relationships in addition to learning activities and discussion.

• Occasionally, we’ll swap out the formal confirmation class for experiencing field trips, service opportunities, and Holy Days together.

The confirmation program is more than a class. The following are critical components of practicing faith together:

• Confirmands are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the weekly Sunday liturgy. Youth can turn in an attendance sheet each Sunday that will double as a raffle ticket for prizes at the end of each semester.

• Confirmands are encouraged to explore different ways of serving on Sunday morning through our youth volunteer program that begins in September. Every semester, youth will be given an opportunity to sign up for a different volunteer role in the church.

• Each confirmand will receive their own adult mentor who will attend select classes and events with them and touch base with them each Sunday morning.

Confirmands are expected to participate in the program as much as they are able. As part of practicing responsibility, confirmands are encouraged to communicate directly with their mentors and program leaders if they are unable to make a scheduled event.

The confirmation program will be co-led by Bailey Steger, the High School Youth Minister, and the Rev. Matt Philipps, the Associate Rector, with support from other parish volunteers and mentors.