Confirmation
Confirmation is an educational ministry designed to help all baptized members grow in their faith. Here at Calvary, we have chosen to emphasize confirmation as a relational ministry that begins at baptism and can be experienced throughout life. Since confirmation is relational ministry, we strongly encourage parents to participate throughout the different classes, become group guides, and assist in the overall nature of their child’s experience. We take seriously Martin Luther’s charge of giving parents the resources to pass on their faith to their children.
Small group ministry is the framework as students move into the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Each Wednesday night, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students begin as a large group to learn about the Bible, small catechism, and the Lutheran reformation. Later that evening they break into small groups to process what they have experienced. Service projects, retreats, and Greater Grand Forks area gatherings are incorporated into this experience.
During the 9th grade year, students begin by gathering in their small groups to process the evening’s topic. They reflect together and discuss the Bible, small catechism and Lutheran reformation, as well as other issues that are important to them. Later, they gather as an entire class and engage in a large group discussion based on their small groups discussions. It is a year meant to help them engage their questions about faith and freely express themselves in a open environment. Service projects, retreats, and Greater Grand Forks area gatherings are also incorporated into this experience.
During the 10th grade year students are connected with a mentor of their own choosing for various activities and conversations about faith and issues of daily life. This year allows for personal growth in their faith with an active adult from the faith community.Confirmation culminates during the fall of their 11th grade with a weekend of Faith Expressions and Affirmation of Baptism. Faith Expressions is a special night in which the confirmands express their faith in a unique and special way that is based on their own gifts and abilities, and Affirmation of Baptism takes place the next morning at all four services. This takes place each year during the final weekend of October.If you would like your teenager(s) to be involved, you can download a registration form by clicking on the link below. You can also fill out Calvary’s Medical Release form and submit it.
Confirmation Registration Form, 2012-2013
Calvary Lutheran Church Medical Release Form
Family Discussion Sheets for 6-8 Grade Confirmation
Faith formation isn’t just something we “send our kids to church for.” Faith formation happens at home. To support families in helping their children grow in faith, weekly “Confirmation To Go” Discussion sheets are available in PDF format to guide families in faith-based conversation around the topics that were discussed in each week’s 6th-8th grade confirmation class. Families are encouraged to download and print the discussion sheets each week, and use them for conversation at home.
January’s Family Discussion Sheets:
Jan 2 – Family Discussion Sheet (Intro to the Lords Prayer)
Jan 9 – Family Discussion Sheet (Lords Prayer – week 2)
Jan 16 – Family Discussion Sheet (Lords Prayer – week 3)
Jan 23 – Family Discussion Sheet (Lords Prayer – week 4)
Family Discussion Sheets for Fall 2012:
Sept 12 Family Discussion Sheet
Sept 19 Family Discussion Sheet
Sept 26 Family Discussion Sheet
